#2 Sol Campbell
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The first ever African American captain to lift a trophy at Wembley in 1999, Sol Campbell had an exceptional, mutually-beneficial relationship with Tottenham Hotspur in the mid-1990s, anchoring down a defence, enough to keep them afloat in England’s top flight, but receiving the captaincy and great critical acclaim as a result.
Things were all peaches and cream that is until Campbell rustled feathers by refusing a contract put forward by Tottenham in the summer of 2001. Clubs from all across the continent came calling, including the likes of Barcelona and money-laden Chelsea, but Spurs fans’ concerns would not be limited to the fact they would be losing their captain –they’d be losing him to bitter rivals Arsenal.
To rub salt into the wounds, the deal was a free transfer, given that Campbell’s deal with Tottenham had expired. Campbell spoke of how David Dein influenced him to join the Gunners, with the Arsenal vice-chairman at the time rumoured to have said, “come to us and you will be part of our family. We will protect you.” Protection would’ve certainly been a priority of Campbell’s following this move.
