NEVER underestimate the power football has to surprise.
Over the years, SunSport has seen it’s fair share of weird transfers. Players swapping their glamour days for a runout at Barnet, for example.
Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano shocked the world when they signed for West Ham in 2006Credit: PA:Press Association
And then there are some who the so-called big clubs take a punt on – swooping on an unsuspecting ‘smaller club’ to make an odd signing.
In the wake of Barnsley being linked with an audacious move for Mario Balotelli, here’s some of the weirdest transfers we’ve ever come across.
NICKLAS BENDTNER
On the final day of the transfer window in August 2012, Juventus were short of a centre forward.
But even Arsenal fans, who had grown tired of Nicklas Bendtner’s off-the-field antics, were shocked the Italian giants went for their Danish striker.
Especially since the previous season he had failed to pull up any trees at Sunderland.
That didn’t deter Juve who gambled on the forward, but injury problems restricted him to just 11 appearances – and he failed to score.
Unsurprisingly, the Serie A side didn’t take up an option of buying him permanently.
Arsenal fans were left stunned when Serie A giants Juventus took troubled striker Nicklas Bendtner off their handsCredit: AP:Associated Press
Bendtner failed to score in 11 games for the club and a permanent move was quashedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
BOJAN KRCIC
The former Barcelona man was the epitome of the question; can he do it on a rainy Tuesday night at Stoke?
The simple answer was no, despite Bojan had the benefit of playing for the home side too.
Mark Hughes concluded the surprise deal for the man labelled the next Messi in 2014 for just £1.8million.
“Anyone who knows European football will be aware of him as a player and the fact that he sees his future at Stoke City is really exciting,” Hughes beamed at the time.
16 goals in 85 games later he was flogged to MLS side Montreal Impact in 2019.
Bojan Krcic swapped Barcelona for StokeCredit: Action Images – Reuters
TEVEZ AND MASCHERANO
Probably one of the most audacious double-signings in Premier League history.
No wonder then West Ham boss Alan Pardew had a smile like a Cheshire cat at their unveiling back in 2006.
The Argentinian duo were plucked from Corinthians, and only stayed with the Hammers for a season with Tevez joining Manchester United and Mascherano signing for Liverpool.
Tevez would write his name in the history books by scoring a goal that secured the club’s Premier League safety.
Later, Pardew revealed he had only asked his chief executive to buy James Milner and then his Christmas came early.
Carlos Tevez helped save West Ham from relegationCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
LUTHER BLISSETT
Cruelly called Luther ‘Miss it’ by away fans, Blissett is a Watford legend and their all-time top goalscorer.
After winning the First Division Golden Boot in 1983, AC Milan paid £1million to bring him to Italy.
But Blissett struggled to settle in Italy, scoring just five times in 30 appearances in the club.
His dietary requirements were also unfulfilled.
“No matter how much money you have here, you can’t seem to get Rice Krispies,” he said.
AC Milan gambled on Watford legend Luther Blissett, who failed to settle in ItalyCredit: AP:Associated Press
EDGAR DAVIDS
One of the finest midfielders of his generation, it was a shock to see Edgar Davids end up at Barnet.
After all, this was a former Dutch international who had won the Champions League with Ajax, and played for AC Milan, Juventus, Inter Milan and Barcelona in a star-studded career.
Still, in 2012 – still living in North London after a spell at Spurs and then Crystal Palace – he became player manager of League Two Barnet.
However, he struggled to keep his discipline on the pitch – getting sent off three times in his first eight games of the 2013-14 season and picking up a booking in every one of those matches.
His bizarre managerial career took a new turn when he decided to wear the No1 jersey normally worn by goalkeepers, insisting he was setting a trend for midfielders to don that number. He resigned in 2014.
After starring at Ajax, Juventus, AC Milan and Tottenham, Edgar Davids opted to end his career at League Two BarnetCredit: Getty Images – Getty
FERNANDO HIERRO, YOURI DJORKAEF AND JAY JAY OKOCHA
There was no doubt Sam Allardyce had big plans for Bolton Wanderers.
Although they were in their twilight years, between 2002-2004 Real Madrid legend Fernando Hierro, France World Cup winner Youri Djorkaef and the remarkably gifted Jay-Jay Okocha all played for the club at the same time.
Okocha joined from PSG on a free transfer, and soon became a fans’ favourite.
Djorkaeff scored an impressive 21 goals from 87 games from midfield, initially snubbing interest from Manchester United and Liverpool for three years with the Trotters.
While Hierro finished his career playing for Wanderers aged 37.
Youri Djorkaef and Jay-Jay Okocha were part of a dream team of foreign signings at BoltonCredit: Reuters
Real Madrid legend Fernardo Hierro enjoyed his final year as a pro with the TrottersCredit: PA:Empics Sport
ROBERTO MANCINI
Mancini enjoyed a stellar career at Sampdoria, where he helped the club win Serie A, four Coppa Italia titles, as well the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
Three years followed at Lazio, but no one could’ve envisaged what was going to happen next.
Mancini joined Peter Taylor’s Leicester City on loan – making his debut against Arsenal in 2001 at the grand old age of 36.
However, he failed to complete 90 minutes in his only five games for the club.
His contract was torn up in February, when Mancini decided he wanted to manage Fiorentina.
Roberto Mancini joined Leicester City at 36 from Lazio, but failed to reach previous heightsCredit: PA:Press Association
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
