As Loic Remy made another rare appearance for Chelsea from the bench, it seemed a fitting opportunity to take a look at some of the best reserve strikers we have seen in the history of the PL.
Remy, despite his brilliant goal-per-minute-ratio, has always been limited to a very few appearances per season at Chelsea and the Frenchman wouldn’t be blamed for looking for another move.
Since impressing for both QPR and Newcastle, Remy must be one of the most talented centre forwards to be so regularly confined to the bench.
At FFC, we are wondering how many strikers better than Remy have ever had to play second fiddle for a prolonged period. Each of the big clubs likes to have a bit of depth, but this must be the silliest period of Remy’s career.. surely he is lacking ambition?
From big money signings to shrewd buys, we got through the FIVE best backup strikers in the history of the league…
Robin van Persie
RvP was a hero for a season or two at Old Trafford and the Emirates, but van Persie spent much of his career as second fiddle on the bench at Arsenal.
Even in his final season, the Dutchman was struggling to get minutes ahead of Rooney and Falcao.
Teddy Sheringham
Teddy was often on the bench as Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke were terrorising defences, but his intelligent play made him one of the best players to be kept on the bench.
Sheringham is still renowned as a class act throughout the Football League and the fact United could keep him happy as second fiddle is a testament to the size of the club.
Hernan Crespo
After his big money move to Chelsea, one of Argentina’s all-time greats was often assigned to bench warming duties as Didier Drogba made his name in a Chelsea shirt.
Crespo never truly settled at Stamford Bridge, but his occasional brilliance lit up the league and Chelsea’s strength in depth helped them to the title in his first season.
Javier Hernandez
Hernandez, as with so many ‘super subs’ became stuck on the bench because of his reputation for brilliant winners as the fresh legs to attack tired defences.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t enough to keep the Mexican happy and he sought pastures new when he couldn’t nail down and a starting place, but not many players in PL history have had a better timing of a run.
Edin Dzeko
Consistently under rated during his time with Manchester City, Dzeko played a pivotal part in the most dramatic Premier League win to date.
Dzeko’s goal record was never in question and it seemed as though his efficient style of play was to his detriment, as City preferred to use the Bosnian as a ‘plan B’.
The striker is likely to have a brilliant career wherever he goes and several clubs will hope that they can secure his signature.
