In his original Alex Ferguson-extolling, Eamon Dunphy-ghosted autobiography, Roy Keane heaped praise on Eric Cantona for both his impact on the field and his character off it. His impact on the field in English domestic football, we should say.
Keane admitted to a few nagging doubts about Cantona's place in the pantheon of European greats. He lamented that Cantona had frequently gone missing on big European nights (though, it's often forgotten that the only season where Cantona got a decent run of games in Europe was the year when his form declined across the board, 1996-97) and said, somewhat unfairly, that he had never pulled up any trees for the French national team.
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So, while Keane may doubt Cantona's standing among the world greats, this scepticism is not reciprocated. In today's edition of Four Four Two magazine, Cantona selected his all-time Dream XI.
Amid names like Franz Beckenbauer, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona (and Rene Higuita in goal - 'Yes, he did tricks, but he was also a great keeper') Cantona included Keane in midfield alongside Carlos Valderrama. Here was his blurb on Keano.
Do I need to say why? He was the best in midfield; he could play everywhere. He could play the holding role and be defensive, but then he could suddenly burst forward and score goals. He was so intelligent in how he played the game and let me tell you: it felt good to have him behind me for four seasons. He’d win the ball and then give it to me. And what a character! He’d lead my team and inspire them.
The presence of a couple of flamboyant Columbian eccentrics in his lineup hints at Cantona's tastes. This is a romantic who savours the finer things. Keane seems to have been included to provide some grit and balance to his Dream XI.
Keane is not even the only Irishman on the team with Bestie upfront with Mario Kempes. Eric Cantona plumped for himself as manager on the grounds that he knows what these players can do.
