Just been looking through SAFC statcat, and noticed that on today in 1985 we lost the league cup final to Norwich, 1-0 by an own goal from Gordon Chisholm. (guess quite a few of you were there) However my point being, that looking at the starting line up, there is not a single foreign player. 9 English and 2 Scottish, and even an English manager. But since that day there has been many a foreign player at the club, but my question is.. Just who has been the best, or your favourite foreign player at the club? There's quite a few to choose from with the likes of Arca, Gyan,Schwarz, Nunez().
I was indeed there in 1985 (and still haven't forgiven David Corner)!! My first memory of a foreign player was Claudio Marangoni (Argentina) who was rubbish. The first foreigner who I thought was great was Reuban Agboola, a right back who would run thru a wall. My favourite tho has got to be No.33 Julio Arca
Though Arca would get a few mentions. Mind Stefan Schwarz was a cool cookie. If anyone is interested, heres a list of player and nationalities of SAFC players. Some names on there are best forgotten. Esteban Lopez, from Spain, who the **** was he? http://www.worldfootball.net/teams/sunderland-afc/10/
Mar Claudio Marangoni (Argentina) who was rubbish , the best foriegn player we have ever signed imo, he was never going to fit in at Sunderland, our fault not his, just check out this players record after he left us, as an Argentine, he stands alongside some of the greatest mid field players the world has ever seen and he does not suffer by comparison, Rubbish alright, we should be good at recognising it by now.
Jealousy within the camp, he was at least equal to one so called "legend" who did not like the competition.
In terms of favourite foreign player it would have to be Julio, just what a legend. As much as I loved Julio though he isn't the best in terms of quality to have played for us, I think Assamoah Gyan and Djibril Cisse are 2 of the better foreign players we've had in terms of quality and Reyna was a quality player but injury stopped us seeing the best of him.
Fully aware of what he went on to do marra... He's not the first and won't be the last to be too good for Sunderland but remotely average whilst in red and white stripes. Saying that my first trip to Old Trafford I vaguely remember him having a blinder !?! How can Hauser be so average in red'n'white yet get 60/70 caps for Germany ?!? If only football made sense eh !!
