2. Ali Dia (unattached to Southampton)
Ali Dia was signed by then Southampton manager Graeme Souness in November 1996 after receiving a phone call from someone claiming to be George Weah, who said that Dia was his cousin.
There are a number of questions that would naturally be asked here by anyone other than Graeme Souness.
– How did George Weah get my phone number?
– Is this definitely George Weah?
– Is consanguinity with a good footballer really grounds to sign someone, and
– Is footballing ability definitely genetic?
Graeme Souness seemingly asked none of these questions.
Being the potentially real cousin of a potentially real footballer on the phone was enough justification to sign Ali Dia in his book.
Dia came on as a substitute in one match against Leeds United before being replaced himself just 21 minutes later. That was the last time he played professionally in England.
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