LEICESTER’S
miraculous march to the Premier League title will live long in the memory.
The likes of Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez, Wes Morgan and Kasper Schmeichel will
never be forgotten.
But some of the others might.
Will people still remember Marcin Wasilewski in ten years’ team?
And there are probably other title winners you can’t remember.
But don’t worry — we’re here to remind you.
Here is an XI of Premier League winners you’ve probably forgotten about.
GOALKEEPER
Richard Wright: Arsenal, 2001-02
HE’S still playing.
And Wright also has two England caps.
The former Ipswich stopper has been at Manchester
City for two of their title victories — and never made an appearance.
Wright played 22 times as Arsene Wenger claimed his second title.
DEFENCE
Remi Garde: Arsenal, 1997-98
YES, arguably the worst manager in Prem history has won a medal as player.
Garde made six league starts and made four sub appearances in the Gunners’
first championship for seven years — what a drought!
He was one of five Frenchmen in the squad that season.
Matthew Upson: Arsenal, 2001-02
MANY believe the defender’s highlight was his heroic goal against Germany
at the 2010 World Cup.
But they’re probably wrong.
Upson made 14 appearances as Arsenal won the title in 2002.
Jack Rodwell: Manchester City, 2013-14
SOMETIMES considered a midfielder but, given how little played at the
Etihad, we’re not 100 per cent certain, so we’ll accommodate him in defence.
Rodwell burst on to the scene at Everton
and moved to the defending Prem champs in the summer of 2012.
He made just five league appearance under Manuel Pellegrini in 2013-14 but
still won a medal.
Kieran Richardson: Manchester United, 2006-07
SIR ALEX FERGUSON’S men won a staggering 28 games in their ninth Premier
League title win.
Which is second only to Jose Mourinho’s first title success under Jose
Mourinho’s in 2005.
But United’s
achievement is arguably even more incredible given they had Richardson on
the pitch for 15 Premier League games.
MIDFIELD
Alexey Smertin: Chelsea, 2004-05
DESPITE Chelsea’s
determination to get rid of the Russian by loaning him out to Portsmouth and
Charlton, he got his hands on a medal.
Smertin made 25 appearances in 2005.
He left for Dynamo Moscow only to return with Fulham in 2007 — but the arrival
of Danny Murphy restricted his playing time.
Shaun Wright-Phillips: Chelsea, 2005-06
THERE was a time when a Mourinho would strengthen a title-winning team by
making Wright-Phillips snr Chelsea’s second-most expensive player EVER.
He made a consistent 27 appearances in all three of his campaigns at Stamford
Bridge.
His only goals came in titleless seasons — which is probably just an
irrelevant coincidence.
Luke Chadwick: Manchester United, 2000-01
THE likes of Jimmy Greaves, Glenn Hoddle, Paul Gascoigne and Steven Gerrard
must feel sick when they look at Chadwick.
And for different reasons than the rest of us.
Those four England legends never won a league medal — while the United winger
made 16 appearances, scoring twice, in the Red Devils’ seventh Prem title.
FORWARDS
Luis Boa Morte: Arsenal, 1997-98
BEFORE starring for Fulham and West
Ham — and briefly Southampton — the Portuguese poacher was at Arsenal.
As a 21-year-old, he made 15 appearances in Wenger’s first title win.
He actually didn’t score a single goal — but still got the medal
so many crave.
Henrik Larsson: Manchester United, 2006-07
THE most Super of Super Swedes was sensational at Celtic — and had a brief
flurry at Old Trafford, netting once in a title-winning campaign.
Larsson came to the Premier League fresh from success in the Champions League
with Barcelona.
And he can always savour the season he won the Premier League, playing
alongside Kieran Richardson.
Alan Shearer: Blackburn, 1994-95
LOY-AL actually DID win a championship medal, contrary to popular belief.
The legendary striker is the Premier League’s all-time top scorer — and is the
only man to hit 100 goals for two teams.
However, that sole title with Blackburn is the only team honour he has to show
for a sensational career.