7. Gianfranco Zola – Parma to Chelsea, £4.5m.
The little Italian is one of the most likeable personalities in Premier League history and also a hugely talented striker to boot.
Zola was never a prolific forward in front of goal (65 goals in 264 matches is an average return) but what the player provided to the team was unmatched by most in the league.
A big character, but modest and a ultimate team player, Zola spent seven years at Stamford Bridge and despite the success Chelsea have had in the Roman Abramovich era will always have a firm place in Blues fans’ hearts.
The striker left the club for Cagliari in 2003 when it became apparent a takeover from the Russian was imminent, having won two FA Cups and the League Cup.
6. Edwin Van Der Sar – Fulham to Manchester United, £3.5m.
United for all their success had a crisis in goal when Peter Schmeichel retired in 1999, with ‘keepers such as Mark Bosnich and Fabian Barthez unable to fill the void.
Yet in 2005 the club made an inspired choice and signed Van Der Sar from the Cottagers, despite the Dutchman already being 34-years-old.
However, for the first time since the great Dane had commanded the Red Devils’ box, Sir Alex Ferguson had found a worthy successor.
Van Der Sar would spend six years at the club before retiring in 2011, having won four league titles, the League Cup twice and the Champions League.
5. Patrick Vieira – AC Milan to Arsenal, £4.7m.
The powerful French midfielder was part of a group of Arsenal players that broke United’s grasp on the Premier League trophy in 1997/98 and did it in style.
A revolution from across the Channel had started at Highbury when Arsene Wenger was appointed manager in 1996 and along with Emmanuel Petit and Nicolas Anelka, Vieira was a France international that bossed the English game.
The midfielder had it all, grace and poise on the ball and a sublime range of passing, but also the grit and determination that allowed Vieira to hold his own with Roy Keane.
Left the Gunners in 2005 to join Juventus after nine years, three titles and four FA Cups with the club.
4. Roy Keane – Nottingham Forest to Manchester United, £7.5m.
Perhaps the most influential central midfielder the Premier League has ever seen, Keane was the epitome of a winner at Old Trafford when United dominated Europe.
The Irishman didn’t suffer fools and was aggressive and powerful on the football pitch, coupled with supreme talent that made the Red Devils captain a great team mate.
Keane spent 12 years at United in which time he collected seven league titles, four FA Cups and the Champions League (seven of which as skipper) and was instrumental in the great treble winning side of 1998/99.
Left the club in surprising circumstances in 2005 following a bust-up with Ferguson, but will forever remain one of the greatest players in the United’s history.
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