Top 7 eccentric footballers to have played in the EPL

The beauty of genius lies in its imperfection. Over the years, the beautiful game of football has thrown up quite a few eccentric yet blessed individuals who had the ability of doing the impossible in every sense of the word. Sometimes they would just leave you stunned by a moment of sheer brilliance while at other times they would leave you disappointed. Let’s take a look at seven names who deserve to be in this list:

1. Eric Cantona

11 Mar 1996: Eric Cantona scores the opening goal for Man Utd during the Manchester United v Southampton FA Cup Quarter Final Match at Old Trafford, Manchester.

The mercurial Frenchman, who is considered to be the architect of Manchester United’s rise to dominance in English football, was banned from football for nine months for the infamous kung fu kick at one of the fans. Ooh Aah Cantona!

2. Carlos Tevez

NORWICH, ENGLAND : Carlos Tevez of Manchester City celebrates scoring his team.

The Argentine is immensely talented and is a menace for the best of defenses when he is playing. But his desire to play and professionalism have often come under the scanner. From hoisting a placard reading ‘R.I.P. Fergie’ during Manchester City’s victory parade to refusing to play for five months, Tevez is a curious case of a genius gone wrong!

3. Roy Keane

BIRMINGHAM : Roy Keane of Manchester United tackles Jason Roberts of West Bromwich Albion during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between West Bromwich Albion and Manchester United.

Former United captain and midfield general, Roy Keane was a classic thug! Ever since his departure after falling out with the United boss, the club has struggled to find a good enough replacement for the talismanic player. From the reckless tackle on Alfe-Inge Haland with a view to hurt him to continued jibes at his team mates alleging them to be obsessed with wealth, Keane did it all.

4. Paul Gascoigne

1991: Paul Gascoigne #8 of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates his 35 yard goal during the FA Cup Semi-Final against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium in London.

In 1999 Sir Alex Ferguson revealed in his autobiography that the biggest disappointment in his managerial regime was to miss out on signing Paul Gascoigne. Extremely talented and a fierce competitor on the pitch; Gazza is one of football’s greatest disappointments. Not many have argued against the Englishman’s wealth of talent but his temperament on and off the pitch have very often let him and his team down. From weight problems to alcoholism Gazza never became the footballer he should have been.

5. Luis Suarez-

NORWICH, ENGLAND: Luis Suarez of Liverpool runs with the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Norwich City and Liverpool.

The Uruguayan is a tremendous talent and his goal scoring record for Liverpool proves that. With an infertile and blunt midfield behind him, Suarez has still managed to work wonders for his team. He has been equally brilliant for his country and has forged together a strong partnership alongside Diego Forlan. From being named the Player of the Tournament at Copa America ’11 to biting off the shoulder of PSV midfielder Otman Bakkal, from helping Uruguay to semi finals of World Cup ’10 to the ‘hand gate’ against Ghana in the same tournament; Suarez deserves a mention here.

6. Paolo Di Canio-

LONDON, ENGLAND : Paolo Di Canio of the Academy All-Stars in action during the Tony Carr Testimonial match between the Academy All-Stars and West Ham United at the Boleyn Ground.

Former Lazio, Juventus, Napoli, Milan, West Ham and Charlton player has had an eventful footballing career to put it mildly. From scoring one of the greatest goals in Premier League history against Wimbledon to his self proclaimed allegiance to fascism, Di Canio has never been away from the headlines. His spectacular show of sportsmanship against Everton in 2000 when he caught the ball instead of scoring one as goalkeeper Paul Gerrard lay injured, earned him the FIFA Fair Play Award in 2001.

7. Jens Lehmann-

BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 10: Jens Lehmann of Arsenal in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Blackpool and Arsenal at Bloomfield Road.

Jens Lehmann was one of the finest goalkeepers in the last decade and it is no surprise that Arsenal’s glory days coincided with his arrival at Highbury. From being named the Champions League Goalkeeper of the Year in 2005-06 for going 853 minutes without conceding a goal to peeing by the sidelines during a game, Lehmann was a classic nutcase.