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"Cantona...Best import? You must be joking!"

Firstly i'd like to state my out rage at Eric Cantona winning the "premierships best import" award. What a joke, How can they compare Cantona's stay at old Trafford, in any way to the sheer professionalism of Gianfranco zola. Cantona was at united 5 years and Zola has been at Chelsea 6 already. But the length of the stay is irrelevant. Zola has done the incredible he has Stretched a career into his 37th year, a time when many strikers would already have been retired 3 years. Cantona retired age 30 and even then was looking pretty unfit. Zola has dedicated his later years to maintaining peak fitness and is still running circles around men, little over half his age.

One Area where he does have the edge is in the goal record department. The Old Trafford legend joined United in 1992 from Leeds for £1.2million, making 191 appearances and scoring 88 goals before retiring in 1997.

THe Hero of Stamford Bridge however has scored 80 in 300 apearrances yet is stil going on.

In reality goals are irrelevant in this consideration. If Goal tallies were the measure of the best import, Henry, Hasselbaink, and Van Nistelrooy (nearly) have already far surpassed this target.

Zola has offered this league nothing but professionalism and good nature, Cantona however was involved in the biggest disrepute case the premier league, with an assault on the lifeblood of English football....the fans.

I know many football pundits were expecting Zola to win this award, and he can feel robbed not to have one it, his vision touch and class are unparralelled by any man in the league with the exception of.......Dennis Bergkamp. My previous ramblings may have sounded extremely pro Chelsea (and they were) but not i am moving to the other end of the Scale with London Rivals Arsenal.

Dennis Bergkamp has been Critical to the building of arsenal into the team they are today. The Bergkamp-Wright, Followed by the Bergkamp-Henry partner shiphave been two of the most impressive strike partnerships to reach the premiership.

Bergkamp has a pretty good scoring record with 102 goals in a little over 300 appearances, and has been crucial insupport of Highbury's all time top scorer, wright, and the man who if he stays looks certain to break that record; Henry. With out the presence of Bergkamp would Wright have reached the record in Time, Would Henry have learnt the things he has or thrived on an exquisite supply. Would Arsenal have benefit from a ridiculous £23
million transfer fee from Anelka it there had been not been the impressive bergkamp to lift him to were he was. Bergkamp has provided the premiership with 8 years of loyal service, has scored goals from pretty much every concievable angle and has shown a passing range only zola can match as a a sriker, as his career carries intohis mid 30's. Arguably Bergkamp too has had more than his fair share of disciplinary procedures, but at least his foibles have been confined to the pitch.

I find it hard to believe that many Man Utd supporters, would deny that although Cantona provided us with some out standing memories (especially the amazing juggle previously shown at the start of match of the day), and performed at a high level as a striker, That The level of profesionalism, good attitude and dedication to the game shown by Zola and Bergkamp, leaves them more deserving winners, with Cantona close behind.

AliBoy wrote:

> I think Le Tissier should have got it. He did more for Southampton and
> scored some of the best goals ever seen.


I liked the way he played and he scored some tremendous goals. Can't beleive he scored so many goals in Midfield.

the only reason i'm moaning is for as you say "I wouldn't moan if it had gone to Zola" there is a good reason for this........It never does, It always goes to man utd. There could be an award for nearly anything positive and they will always give it to man utd or maybe give arsenal the occasional one to avoid these accusations. The FA in this country just love to suck up to united.

Why all fuss?

There have been many great imports come to English football such as Cantona, Zola, Bergkamp, Schikes et al but only one person can win the award, much like 'footballer of the year' etc Cantona was one of the best player's ive ever seen and certainly deserves and alcolade like best import, specially for the amount he cost to purchase "best million ive ever spent" said Sir Alex.

As Ashley says the fact that he was playing with some great players meant he was literally the cherry on the top of an already fabulous team and must have contributed to him getting this award, however I do think he does deserve it but if someone like Zola won it instead - I certainly wouldn't be questioning it.

WòókieeMøn§†€® wrote:
> Can you say "one man team"? ;-)

Can you say "one title team?" ;-)

Cantona didn't win it. The fact that Man Unt had the best midfiel in the world through out the 1990's (until Real bought the new best midfield) They had one of the best defensive pairing in Pallister and Bruce. And the Man recognised as the best keeper in the world in Schmeichel. All Cantona had to do is tap em in. If Zola had been in that united team then he would probably be regarded as the best footballer ever to play in england and with a good attitude too. Bergkamp is admittedly a bit of a cheat but is also technically a much better player than Cantona ever was. Same Goes for Van Nistelrooy, By no means the most gifted forward in england but can finish anywhere past the penalty spot. At a lesser club he would have a lot less impactbut he is exactly what united need so is a good buy. The general trend at united seems to be the more money they pay for a player the more they under achieve

Again - where's the love for Schmeichel?

Meka Dragon wrote:
> Cantona helped Utd to win the league for the first time in 26 years

Heh! At least someone remembers!

Can you say "one man team"? ;-)

Be intereting to hear what Solskjaer thinks of a "bloody Frog" winning the award...


Anyway, Cantona is a French nonce who ponces around reading poetry on trains. Nuff said! ;-p

I'm surprised by the way so many of you react to this. Is it because he played for Utd or are you all just remembering the Palace incident?

Cantona was an inspiriation, one of the greatest players that I ever watched as a kid. He played with passion and flair and although he did have his bad points you can't overlook that on the pitch when he was doing what he did best that he was exceptional to watch.

I'm not saying Zola or Bergkamp aren't, but for me Cantona brought a lot more than they did.


I'm more surprised about Shearer. Remember this is comming from a non English person but I remember a few incidents were Shearer was far from being Mr nice guy and was lucky not to be banned or finned. Didn't he kick someone in the face one year and get away with it?

I think Le Tissier should have got it. He did more for Southampton and scored some of the best goals ever seen.

"Professionalism" and "Cantona" dont sound right in the same sentence after the Crystal Palace incident.
He did nothing at Leeds and thats why they got rid of him, and you cant say Cantona single handedly on the league.........i mean just look at united's squad that year.

I was also surprised Zola was not in the team, but i was pleased to see "Super Dan" get his recognition.