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?? Throwback: Portsmouth’s class of 2008 was full of dazzling African stars & cult heroes
Harry Redknapp’s Portsmouth crew fell foul to deep monetary issues, relegation and finally the membership went into administration in 2010.
However earlier than that horrible destiny, Pompey was flying excessive within the Premier League and even tasting FA Cup success in 2008. That FA Cup triumph was solely the second within the membership’s lengthy historical past and its first since 1939 with Mr Redknapp having assembled a gifted, cosmopolitan group of gamers from all corners of the globe.
Solely two gamers scored 2+ targets in Portsmouth’s 2008/09 UEFA Cup run:
• @petercrouch (4)
• Jermaine Defoe (2)Little and enormous. ? pic.twitter.com/weITEPnJ2U
— Squawka Soccer (@Squawka) November 27, 2019
The facet additionally loved a short UEFA Cup run owing to that FA Cup success, which included the chance to brush shoulders with the likes of Ronaldinho at Fratton Park…
When AC Milan performed Portsmouth at Fratton Park in 2008, Ronaldinho described it as one of many “finest atmospheres in world soccer”. #Pompey pic.twitter.com/Q93SziiFbT
— The Away Followers (@theawayfans) December 24, 2020
?? Portsmouth boasted stylish gamers from 2007-2009:
- ?? Sulley Muntari
- ?? Nwankwo Kanu
- ?? Lauren
- ?? John Utaka
- ?? Papa Bouba Diop
- ?? Lassana Diarra
- ?? Milan Baroš
- ?? Niko Kranjčar
- ??????? Peter Crouch
- ?? Pedro Mendes
- ??????? Sol Campbell
- ??????? Jermain Defoe
This taking part in group had a robust African contingent at its core, with the vastly skilled Nigerian Nwankwo Kanu scoring the one aim within the 2008 FA Cup showpiece last towards Cardiff at Wembley, and he was ably supported in assault by his speedy compatriot John Utaka. Curiously, a 17-year-old Aaron Ramsey lined up for Cardiff that day and 36-year-old veteran Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, a Leeds and Chelsea legend, was additionally on the dropping facet for the Bluebirds.
FA cup win with Portsmouth ? 17/05/2008 #portsmouthfc #FAcup pic.twitter.com/VITH8gMSeU
— Glen Johnson (@glen_johnson) May 17, 2021
The ever-dependable Cameroonian fullback, Lauren, was additionally a key member of the taking part in squad, though he was within the twilight of his profession after excelling with Arsenal within the early 00s. Gifted Ghanaian midfield schemer Sulley Muntari would go on to greater issues after the squad broke up, successful a European treble with Inter Milan in 2010.
? Portsmouth’s beginning XI within the 2008 FA Cup last
(4-1-4-1): David James; Glen Johnson, Sol Cambell, Sylvain Distin, Hermann Hreidarsson; Lassana Diarra; John Utaka, Pedro Mendes, Niko Kranjčar, Sulley Muntari; Nwankwo Kanu
♻️ Substitutes:
Jamie Ashdown, Noe Pamarot, Papa Bouba Diop, Milan Baroš, David Nugent
The nice occasions at Fratton Park have been short-lived, as Portsmouth turned the first-ever Premier League membership to enter administration in February 2010, regardless of promoting a raft of their prime stars, notably Lassana Diarra to Actual Madrid for £20m firstly of 2019. At that time, they have been nonetheless £70m in debt and docked 9 factors. They’d be relegated from the top-flight on the finish of the 2009-10 marketing campaign.
#OnThisDay in 2008, @petercrouch signed for Portsmouth ? pic.twitter.com/NqaS8deszJ
— Premier League (@premierleague) July 11, 2018
What a crew that 2008 classic was, although, stuffed to the brim with gifted African stars and a handful of cult heroes. The streets will always remember.
