The Transfer Tavern is hive of activity tonight with fans from all clubs discussing news stories and exchanging views about the beautiful game.
Topics from who’s going to win the league, who will be relegated, and who will finish as the Premier League’s leading goal scorer are being bellowed out across the bar, with views aplenty being exchanged.
The Transfer Tavern is the place to be for the gossip and the landlord always has a story or two about numerous clubs, and it results in the fans hanging of his every word.
A manager is judged not only on results but also the way his team plays and the players he signs.
With Michu being released by Swansea and looking likely to sign for a side in the Spanish fourth tier, the discussion has turned to one season wonders, those players who have the world at their feet, only to go through a barren spell and end up on football’s scrap heap.
So these are our top 5 Premier League one season wonders! Have we missed any, let us know in the comments below!
Hit Michu below to see FIVE one-season wonders in the Premier League!
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Michael Bridges
Going back in time to the season 1999/2000 Leeds United signed Sunderland youngster Michael Bridges for £5 million.
The price seemed a snip for the forward, especially when his first season ended at Elland Road with the striker scoring on 19 occasions, helping Leeds to a third place finish that meant Champions League football.
But his luck ran out the following season when the player suffered a string of horrific injuries which ensured the player would never be the same again. After leaving Leeds, Bridges went on to play for Bolton Wanderers, Bristol City, Carlisle United, and Hull City.
He left England to play in Australia in 2009, and is still playing semi professionally for Lambton Jaffas in the NBN State Football League (we’ve no idea what that is either).
Marcus Stewart
Back in the 2000/01 season Marcus Stewart had his best ever goal scoring figures in the top flight with 19 goals. Stewart’s goals helped Ipswich Town to fifth place in the Premier League and UEFA Cup qualification.
The season saw Stewart finish second in the leading goal scorer charts for the Premier League, with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink beating him to the golden boot.
The following season not just Stewart but Ipswich failed to hit the heights of the previous season, and at the end of the 2001/02 season Ipswich Town found themselves relegated.
Stewart ended his career at Exeter City, and is now development coach at Bristol Rovers a post he has held since 2012.
Amr Zaki
Egyptian forward Amr Zaki made his mark on the Premier League when he signed on loan for Wigan Athletic at the beginning of the 2008/09 Premier League season.
Zaki made a flying start to his career in the English top flight, scoring 10 times in the first half of the season, including a stunning volley against Liverpool at Anfield.
The player returned late from an African Nations Cup qualifier and this prompted then Wigan boss Steve Bruce to label Zaki the most unprofessional player he has ever worked with, and decided against signing the player on a permanent deal for Wigan at the end of the season.
Zaki retired from football in August of this year at the age of 32 after struggling with numerous injuries.
Robinho
The little Brazilian forward was the signing of the summer transfer window during season 2008/09 when he joined Manchester City.
The former AC Milan, Real Madrid, and Santos player arrived with all the fanfare you would expect when one of the worlds most exciting players arrives at your club.
He became an instant fan favourite with the fans with his constant running and goal scoring abilities, ending his first season at the Etihad Stadium having scored 14 times in 31 appearances.
The following season was a struggle for the Brazilian who failed to score a goal for the club, before returning to Brazil with Santos.
Now 31, Robinho is playing in China with Guangzhou Evergrande.
Roque Santa Cruz
Paraguayan international Roque Santa Cruz arrived in the Premier League during the summer before the 2007/08 campaign.
Santa Cruz arrived from Bayern Munich with not much of a goal scoring threat having never managed to score more than five goals a season in the Bundesliga.
That all changed during his first season at Ewood Park he managed 19 goals in 37 Premier League games in his debut season. The following season was disastrous for Santa Cruz who managed just four goal that season during an injury hit campaign.
His lack of goals for Blackburn that season didn’t put Manchester City boss Mark Hughes off buying the player for £17.5 million in the summer of 2009.
He went on to make just 23 appearances for Manchester City over four years scoring on just three occasions.
Now 34, Santa Cruz is playing in La Liga for Malaga, whom he joined on loan in August from Cruz Azul.
