We’ve all seen the compilations soundtracked by mid-late 2000s indie rock on social media by now. Let’s take a look at some of the greatest and perhaps forgotten players of the #Barclaysmen era.
The #Barclaysmen trend gave us a beautiful trip down memory lane with some of the most iconic players who plied their trades in one of the best eras in English football history. The “streets won’t forget” archetype has a special place in the hearts of pretty much every football fan.
The best thing about this era is that everyone has that one player who they could speak about for ages. It’s never the most efficient or productive player, but they still leave that lasting impact on you as a fan. As the sport continues to evolve and the biggest matches are showcases of tactical battles, the beauty of individual expression can often be stifled.
That’s what made “The Barclays” great, and that is why these players will bring back memories of an era that now seems long gone. Here are some of the best forgotten men of the Barclays Premier League.
Benjani
An enigmatic career with glimpses of genius. Huge goals in big moments. Iconic hat trick in a historic game. It’s a trifecta that makes Benjani one of the best examples of a #Barclaysman.
The Zimbabwean striker had a quintessential Barclays career across Sunderland, Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, and most iconically, Portsmouth. A scorer of brilliant goals, his best moment was his hat trick in a 7-4 win against Reading. The 11 goals scored in that match remains the most in Premier League history today.
Oh and by the way, he also scored what turned out to be the winner on his Manchester Derby debut.
Ricardo Fuller
In the mid-2000s, Stoke City snapped up Jamaican international Ricardo Fuller from Southampton for less than £1 million, a minuscule fee even for that era. His early seasons with the Potters in the Championship were huge successes for both player and club, and he was a key factor in Stoke City’s promotion back to the Premier League.
2008-09 was his first Premier League season for Stoke City and it would be ingrained in the minds of fans for years to come. He continued his blistering form from the Championship and bagged 11 goals, making him Stoke’s top scorer. More importantly, the club remained in the Prem and avoided the all too often one-and-done scenario.
The real Barclaysman aura comes out when you take a look at his goal catalog. Fuller was capable of making the spectacular seem far too normal, and his habit of popping up with a goal, often when sorely needed, made him such a popular player to the fans.
Maynor Figueroa
Wigan Athletic is a relic of the Barclays era, and while Maynor Figueroa is the first of the Latics on this list, he’s far from the last.
Figueroa is the epitome of what made Wigan perhaps the most “Barclays” club imaginable. A marauding full back with nearly 200 league appearances, he was a constant threat when given license to go forward as well.
If you think about the Wigan squad from this era, Hugo Rodellega, Charles N’Zogbia, and maybe even Ali Al-Habsi will be the first names that spring to memory. For my money though, the Honduran defender gets far too little recognition.
His best moment was a goal scored from his own half against Stoke City in 2009. It was a moment of quick thinking, bravery, and immaculate execution, and one of the best Barclays goals of all time.
Amr Zaki
A true one-season wonder, for better or for worse. Amr Zaki was brought in on loan by Wigan Athletic in 2008 and went on to show flashes of genius on his way to bagging double-digit goals.
He is no doubt best-remembered for causing then-manager Steve Bruce the biggest headaches of his career. Bruce went on a massive rant calling out the Egyptian as one of the most unprofessional players he’s dealt with.
Petulance, pride, but above all else, pure cinema.
Brede Hangeland
⚽️ Goals Scored By A Fulham Centre-Back⛰
📝 Until we sign a CB this summer window..
Day 3:
Brede Hangeland 🇳🇴 23-08-08. His first goal for us defeats Arsenal. What can you say? Simply the best!271 games. Nordic mountain and Fulham royalty. #FFC #COYW @bphangeland pic.twitter.com/F7Emd7728D
— Craven The Hunter (@CravenTheHunter) July 27, 2022
The former Fulham captain Brede Hangeland was an integral part of one of the best time periods the Cottagers have had in recent memory. A towering figure, Hangeland was a threat in both boxes. He was physically imposing but also extremely comfortable with his feet, and he was a player ahead of his time.
The 2008-09 season saw Fulham boast the fourth-best defense in the league, conceding only 34 goals in 38 games with Hangeland at the heart of it all. Behind the stout defensive record, Fulham finished seventh in the table and secured a spot in the qualifying stages of European football.
Jussi Jääskeläinen
One key aspect of a great Barclays-era player is a great name. Something that rolls off the tongue but is unique enough to identify you, and you alone. Jussi Jääskeläinen ticks this box better than almost anyone.
The only shot-stopper on this list, and with nearly 500 Premier League games in his career playing with Bolton, West Ham, and Wigan, Jussi would pull a staggering save out of nowhere, only to commit a howler 20 minutes later. In fairness to the Finnish international, he was infinitely more reliable than otherwise.
For a Barclays Goalkeeper, you wouldn’t have it any other way.
Johan Elmander
You’d no doubt have seen the trend here. Johan Elmander keeps those vibes going. He wasn’t always consistent, in fact he was pretty far from it. Nevertheless, his time in the league was short but oh-so-sweet.
For a big man, his feet and technical ability were wonderful, and when given opportunities he’d gobble up chances with a supreme level of poise and class. This was best showcased in the 2010-11 season.
Bolton faced Wolves, and Elmander dispatched one of the best goals that’s never talked about enough. Swiveling and slaloming through a crowd before an accurate pass into the net all in one motion.
