El Hadji Diouf became a household name after his brilliant performances at the 2002 World Cup, where he played a crucial role in helping Senegal reach the quarterfinals.
His standout match came against France, where he was pivotal in securing a surprising 1-0 victory. This performance, along with his impressive 2001-02 season with RC Lens in Ligue 1, earned him a big move to Liverpool.
Sadly, his time at Liverpool didn’t live up to expectations. Diouf’s lack of consistency and poor attitude caused friction with teammates and coaches, tarnishing his career.
He had a brief revival at Bolton Wanderers, but off-field incidents, including a spat at fans, marred his reputation. After retiring in 2015, Diouf left behind a career that never fulfilled the promise of his early years.
Frederic Kanouté played a pivotal role in Sevilla’s success during the 2006-07 season, where they won both the UEFA Cup and Copa del Rey. His 22 goals in La Liga and 30 in total that season made him one of the standout performers in European football.
However, after that fantastic campaign, Kanouté’s form began to dip. He remained at Sevilla until 2012 but couldn’t replicate the magic of that season. Eventually, he moved to Beijing Guoan in China, where his impact was minimal.
Though Kanouté wasn’t a failure, the promise shown in 2006-07 never translated into a long, storied career.
Brazilian striker Grafite was the hero of VfL Wolfsburg’s 2008-09 Bundesliga-winning season, scoring a remarkable 28 goals. His dynamic partnership with Edin Džeko helped the club secure its first-ever Bundesliga title, and Grafite was the talk of the town for his performances that year.
Unfortunately, after his stellar season, Grafite struggled to maintain his form. Injuries and inconsistent performances meant he could never replicate the level of success from the title-winning campaign. He later moved to the UAE to play for Al-Ahli and had a stint in Brazil with São Paulo, but his career never reached the heights of 2008-09 again.
Papiss Cissé burst onto the scene after joining Newcastle United in January 2012 from SC Freiburg. In his debut season, Cissé scored an impressive 13 goals in 14 appearances, including some spectacular long-range strikes. His clinical finishing helped Newcastle secure a 5th-place finish in the Premier League.
However, after his fantastic start, Cissé’s form began to decline. Injuries and changes in tactics saw him unable to replicate his early success. He continued to contribute to Newcastle, but never reached the heights of his first season. In 2016, Cissé moved to Shandong Luneng in China, where his career became less impactful.
In his first season with Blackburn Rovers, Paraguayan striker Roque Santa Cruz made a huge impact, scoring 19 goals in the Premier League during the 2007-08 season. His powerful play, aerial ability, and sharp finishing made him one of the league’s most feared strikers.
But after that standout season, Santa Cruz’s career took a downward turn. Injuries and inconsistent form plagued his time at Blackburn, and a move to Manchester City in 2009 didn’t spark a revival. His time at City and later in Spain and Mexico didn’t match the brilliance of his early years at Blackburn.
Brazilian striker Afonso Alves had an incredible season with SC Heerenveen in the 2006-07 Eredivisie, scoring an astonishing 34 goals in 31 league appearances. This incredible tally made him one of Europe’s most sought-after strikers.
However, his subsequent move to Middlesbrough in 2008 saw a sharp decline in form. Injuries and a lack of consistency meant Alves never quite found his rhythm in the Premier League. After a few years in England, Alves moved to Qatar and had a quieter end to his career, with his time at Heerenveen remaining the defining chapter of his career.
Diego Tristán enjoyed a strong season with Deportivo La Coruña in 2001-02, scoring 13 goals in La Liga and helping the team to a 3rd-place finish. He was part of an exciting attacking trio and earned a call-up to the Spanish national team.
However, after that promising season, Tristán’s form faded. Injuries took a toll, and his performances diminished. He stayed at Deportivo until 2007, but he never replicated his best form. His later years included stints at West Ham United and Cadiz, but he was never able to regain the heights of his prime.
Adrian Mutu had a short but bright spell at Chelsea in the 2003-04 season, scoring 10 Premier League goals in his first year with the club. His creativity and skill made him one of the more exciting players in the Premier League.
Unfortunately, Mutu’s time at Chelsea was cut short when he tested positive for cocaine in 2004, leading to his dismissal from the club. Despite moving to Juventus and Fiorentina in Italy, Mutu never recaptured his Chelsea form. While he had flashes of brilliance at Fiorentina, his career was marred by the scandal and never reached the heights that many had hoped for.
Erling Haaland has often cited Michu as his idol, and there’s a clear reason for that. Back in 2012, the Spanish striker was wreaking havoc on Premier League defenses while playing for Swansea City, quickly becoming a household name. His iconic celebration—shaking his hands next to his head—has even been copied by Haaland to this day.
Michu’s impact in the 2012-13 season was immediate and undeniable. He scored 18 Premier League goals in his debut season, showcasing exceptional positioning and clinical finishing. His contributions played a key role in helping Swansea finish 9th in the Premier League, and he quickly became a fan favorite.
Sadly, Michu’s form began to fade after that remarkable season. Injuries and a decline in confidence took their toll, and he struggled with consistency in the years that followed. Despite moves to Napoli and Rayo Vallecano, Michu was never able to rediscover the form that made his time at Swansea so memorable. His brief but brilliant spell in South Wales remains the pinnacle of his career.
The 2011-12 season with Manchester City was arguably the best of Mario Balotelli’s career. The Italian forward scored 17 goals in all competitions and helped City clinch their first-ever Premier League title. Balotelli’s most memorable moment came when he assisted Sergio Agüero’s iconic title-winning goal against Queens Park Rangers.
Despite his flashes of brilliance that season, Balotelli’s career never reached the same heights again. Injuries, discipline issues, and a lack of consistency meant that his potential remained unfulfilled. Balotelli’s 2011-12 season will always be remembered as the high point of his career, a reminder of what could have been had he harnessed his immense talent more consistently.
