Have you ever heard the expression ‘rapping like the rent was due?’ If not, allow us to explain
Sometimes a rap artist, who isn’t particularly renowned for lyricism, raps a verse which takes listeners by complete surprise. The only explanation could be that they had to produce a quality verse or face the prospect of being evicted from their home.
Your friends at Football Fixtures have applied this logic to the beautiful game. There have been some players who have produced an incredible season out of the blue, maybe they needed to in order to keep a roof over their head? 🤔
Check out this list of players who from out of nowhere delivered an absolutely scintillating solo campaign.
Grafite – 2008/2009
Brazilian striker Grafite had a fairly modest career before moving to Bundesliga side Wolfsburg in 2007. The former São Paulo man’s best goal return stood at 17 in Brazil’s top flight. Impressive numbers for sure, but nothing could’ve prepared us for what he was gearing up to produce in the 2008/09 season.
In a title-winning campaign, Grafite scored a remarkable 28 goals in 25 appearances for Wolfsburg who were managed by Felix Magath. The then 29-year-old was simply unstoppable in front of goal, as he struck up a lethal partnership with fellow striker Edin Džeko. Grafite’s goal haul included a FIFA Puskás Award nominated strike against Bayern Munich, where he would go on a mazy run before finishing with a cheeky back heel.
Michu – 2012/2013
Michu signed for Swansea in 2012 for just £2.3M from Rayo Vallecano. Not much was known about the Spaniard, but he would announce his arrival in the Premier League almost instantly, after scoring a brace in Swansea’s opening day 5-1 victory against QPR.
It was a performance that made football fans across Europe stand up and take notice – Michu had set the precedent for what would be a stellar campaign. The gangly frontman went on to score 22 goals in all competitions, with 18 of those strikes coming in the Premier League. Michu has since been dubbed a ‘streets won’t forget’ footballer, and we can’t help but agree with this notion.
Dele Alli – 2016/2017
Dele was just 18 years old when he joined Tottenham Hotspur back in 2015. After winning the Football League Young Player of the Year award at MK Dons the season prior, many were interested to see how he’d make the step up to the Premier League.
After notching an impressive ten league goals in his debut season, the following campaign he would ascend to even higher heights that very few would have predicted. Playing in an attacking midfield role, Dele would score an incredible 18 league goals and add a further nine assists. He bamboozled defences every week with clever passes and flamboyant skills, earning the reputation as one of Europe’s brightest young talents.
Dele, who now plies his trade at Everton, has somewhat lost his way in the game, and a big factor is due to his mental health. Everyone at Football Fixtures wishes him all the best and we hope he can get his career back on track.
Stephen Ireland – 2008/2009
How about this for a trip down memory lane? In the 2008/09 season, Ireland put together a string of impressive displays and earned himself the Manchester City Player of the Year award.
The Irish playmaker showcased his technical finesse, vision, and goal-scoring prowess. His dynamic performances in the heart of the midfield were instrumental in Manchester City’s quest for success. He bagged crucial goals, displaying a knack for timely contributions that endeared him to the fans.
Roque Santa Cruz – 2007/2008
The Paraguayan hitman scored a whopping 19 goals for Blackburn Rovers back in the 2007/08 season. But, if we’re being honest, he kinda went downhill after that – not the Cinderella story we were hoping for.
Remember that cheeky goal he slotted in at Old Trafford? Classic! Then, of course, he jumped on the Manchester City spending spree bandwagon. However, City fans were left frustrated with his lacklustre displays and inability to keep fit.
Did you know at the ripe old age of 42, Santa Cruz is still playing professionally? You can catch him turning out for Paraguayan Primera División side Club Libertad.
Kasper Dolberg – 2016/2017
In the 2016/17 season, Kasper Dolberg emerged as a rising star for Ajax, immediately making a name for himself after a move from Danish side Silkeborg IF.
The forward’s performances were nothing short of sensational as he combined technical quality with ruthless finishing, netting an impressive 23 goals in all competitions, becoming a pivotal figure in Ajax’s attack.
The Denmark international played a key role in Ajax’s remarkable run to the UEFA Europa League final that season, capturing the attention of football enthusiasts worldwide.
