3) Kolo Toure
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Kolo Toure almost lost his chance to become a Premier League legend. When he was on trial at Arsenal, his physicality and enthusiasm in a light training session led to him tackling both Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp, leading to minor injuries to both. To top it off, he even took out Arsene Wenger with a tackle and was reduced to tears thinking he’d missed out on the opportunity.
But Wenger liked his desire and signed him up immediately. Toure would go on to become one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League and partnered with Sol Campbell to form a solid defensive partnership that laid the foundation for the Invincibles campaign that saw Arsenal win the title without losing a single game.
However, in 2009 Manchester City came in with a £14m bid as they looked to build a squad worthy of competing for the title. He soon switched sides and helped the side finish in the top four, even taking on the captain’s armband.
By 2011/12, City had signed many more world class players (including Toure’s brother Kolo) and they won the title in dramatic fashion in stoppage time on the final day of the season. Toure was more of a squad player in that campaign but he did make 14 appearances to receive a winner’s medal.
