Of those I saw play, I suppose Alan Simonsen. But Eddie Firmani's record is not to be sniffed at. 89 goals in 177 appearances for Charlton (51 in 112 in the top tier) Joined Sampdoria for a record transfer fee. 52 goals in 63 apps for Sampdoria 48 in 82 apps for Inter Milan 25 in 62 for Genoa 2 in 3 internationals for Italy.
Paolo di Canio was mindblowingly good to watch when he was 34. So much so that it is hard for me to imagine that not actually being his peak (even though I know it wasn't)
If we had Alan Simonsen, Paolo di Canio John Barnes etc in there prime, we would have sold them the first good offer we received, like we have for most of the very good to great players we have had, we sold Eddie Firmani, Mike Bailey Billy Bonds Paul Elliot Paul Walsh Derek Hales Mike Flannigan, Scott Parker. I would put Stuart Leary and Sam Bartram as the best I saw who stayed with us, even though we sold Stuart Leary late in his career
Simmo was a little past his prime when he joined us. But he was still a class above any Charlton player I have ever seen, only Di Canio comes anywhere near close, but he was well past his best. The amazing thing about Simmo was that he was physically tiny, yet he could out jump centre halves, and reached the very top of the game despite being so small and slight.
I'd say Simonsen, but it was interesting looking at Eddie Firmanis stats - very impressive, particularly what he did in Italy. John Barnes at his peak, in a Liverpool shirt at least, was superb, Costa was class as well.
Simonsen was by far the most talented player I've ever seen. Not sure whether I was more amazed at us getting him or him agreeing to join us. Either way it was a real honour to watch him, just a shame none of the others came close to matching him. Not their fault though, he was just so good.
Comments
Since then would have to be Barnes, Di Canio, Costa, JFH, Parker
I would put Sam Bartram as the greatest servant to the club.
But Eddie Firmani's record is not to be sniffed at.
89 goals in 177 appearances for Charlton (51 in 112 in the top tier)
Joined Sampdoria for a record transfer fee.
52 goals in 63 apps for Sampdoria
48 in 82 apps for Inter Milan
25 in 62 for Genoa
2 in 3 internationals for Italy.
I would put Stuart Leary and Sam Bartram as the best I saw who stayed with us, even though we sold Stuart Leary late in his career
Had we signed him a few months sooner in our first Premier League season we'd have survived!!
Not to mention the bloke won the FA Cup with Everton in '95
Perm any combination at their peak and they would have matched anybody.
Bartram/Bolder
Bonds/Naylor
Costa/Ufton
Elliott/Rufus
Hewie/Powell
Lee/Walsh
Simonsen/Parker
Smertin/Jensen
Barnes/Di Canio
Firmani/Jeppson
Leary/Hales.
Having written this there will now be loads of obvious choices I should have put in instead.