F365's Top Ten Most Missed Players

• 

10. Chris Samba
It was probably a wise decision for Samba to leave Blackburn for the Russian coin last February, with Anzhi Makhachkala now sitting third in the Russian Premier League and Rovers struggling in the bottom half of the Championship. Blackburn may have survived if Samba had stayed, but given the utter shambles the club has become, few fans begrudged him an exit after four fantastic years (and that last one when Steve Kean was in charge). Samba bounded around the pitch like Bambi on ice on his debut against Luton in the FA Cup, but he quickly settled in the team under Mark Hughes and became one of the top defenders in the Premier League before his £12million departure. It was always a fantastic sight to see him carrying the ball out of defence at full speed.


9. Arjen Robben
In only three years at Chelsea, Robben won two Premier League titles, one FA Cup and two League Cups as he dazzled on the left wing under Jose Mourinho. He could often be a bit of a brat, but few players possess such brilliant dribbling skills and, when he was fully fit, Robben was a joy to watch. It was a shame that we never saw him playing at his peak in England and the Dutch international was only 23 when he left Stamford Bridge for Real Madrid in 2007. Although he has undoubtedly had a successful career, we can't help but think a player of Robben's talents should have won a lot more silverware.


8. Olof Mellberg
I spent the summer struggling with confusing thoughts about Mellberg - documented here - and the defender has been greatly missed following his 2008 departure from Aston Villa. At its peak, the partnership of Mellberg and Martin Laursen was one of the strongest in the league, with the duo both fierce competitors. Plus, they seemed like decent chaps - on the day of Mellberg's final game for Villa against West Ham, he gave every away fan who travelled to Upton Park a Villa shirt with his name and number plus the message 'Thanks 4 Your Support' written on the back. The Sweden international is now at Villarreal after leaving Olympiakos, whose fans didn't receive any special gifts.


7. Luka Modric
It seems like it was only yesterday that Modric thwacked in a thriker for Spurs against Bolton and, while we haven't really missed the Trotters in the top flight, the Croatian has been a big loss. Modric was a key player in Spurs' successful quest to break into the top four in the 2009/10 season and was also instrumental as Harry Redknapp's team performed above all expectations to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League the following year. The wiry playmaker helped to debunk the myth that smaller players who wear Alice bands can't hack it in England and for that we're truly grateful.


6. Nigel De Jong
When we heard that Nigel de Jong had ruptured his Achilles at AC Milan, our first thoughts were to bake him a batch of 'get well soon' muffins. We took quite a shine to De Jong during his three years at Man City and, while he was a little over-zealous with his tackles at times, he was rarely given credit for his excellent passing ability. It broke Sarah Winterburn's heart to see poor Nigel sitting on the bench last season, and in some ways it was a relief to see him depart for pastures new in the summer. A contract dispute was cited as the reason for De Jong's exit, but Javi Garcia and Jack Rodwell have thus far failed to prove themselves as convincing replacements.


5. Javier Mascherano
Mascherano's combative qualities have been sorely missed by Liverpool and we used to greatly enjoy his terrier-like harassing of opponents. The Argentine quickly established himself at Anfield after moving from West Ham mid-way through the 2006/07 season and he started the Champions League final against AC Milan only three months after joining the Reds. His best season came in 2008/09, however, when Liverpool and Manchester United went to battle in one of the greatest title races there has ever been. Mascherano was hugely influential as the anchor in Liverpool's midfield and, while we're also big fans of Lucas, it was a sorry sight to see him depart.


4. Cesc Fabregas
It's hard to believe Fabregas is still only 25, considering he made over 300 appearances for Arsenal in an eight-year stay at the club. The former Gunners captain is undoubtedly one of the best midfielders ever to grace the Premier League and was somewhat unfortunate that his spell in north London coincided with Arsenal's trophy drought. While we miss watching Fabregas hurrying around the pitch, spraying passes to teammates and providing exquisite assists, we're certainly glad that we don't have to endure the constant stream of speculation that surrounded his inevitable move to Barcelona.


3. Didier Drogba
We left the office to go home and make ourselves look pretty after hearing reports last month that Drogba could return to Chelsea, but it turned out to be a big joke, just like the time we were meant to go on that 'date'. Drogba wasn't the easiest player to fall in love with given his theatrics on the pitch, but he gradually charmed us over the years and we were secretly pleased when he fulfilled his dream of winning the Champions League. Both Chelsea and the Premier League have missed his domineering presence and we much prefer the power of Drogba to the fannying around of Fernando Torres.


2. Xabi Alonso
We're still confused as to why Liverpool decided to sell Xabi Alonso when his spell at Real Madrid and continued success with Spain has shown how much he still had to offer. The 31-year-old played a key role for the Reds when they won the Champions League in 2005 and was also instrumental in 2008/09, when Liverpool came the closest they have ever been to winning the Premier League. On top of his ability as a footballer, Alonso just seems like a lovely man and we'd join Liverpool fans in welcoming back with open arms if ever he were to return. At least Gareth Barry is still here. Can you imagine the pain if both players had left England? It doesn't bear thinking about.


1. Cristiano Ronaldo
If this were Men365, we'd probably have put Alonso in first for his gentlemanly qualities. But essentially we're a football website and so Ronaldo had to clinch top spot. We feel fortunate to have seen Ronaldo develop into the player he is today at Manchester United and through a combination of Sir Alex Ferguson's expert tutelage and his own desire to succeed, the 27-year-old made the most of his raw talent to become a world star. Few players have the ability to win matches on their own, but on a bad day for United, Ronaldo was still capable of doing something special to secure victory. He won the Premier League in each of his last three years at Old Trafford, as well as the Champions League in 2008, before his record-breaking move to Real Madrid where he has continued to cement his legacy as one of the finest players ever to play the game.

Matt Stanger - he's on the Twitter.