In the categorisation of players there are many different ways to evaluate a footballers talent. One of the more controversial and subjective ways is by saying that they are a poor man's version of another player. Yes it may sound demeaning to the supposedly inferior player but when you think about it it's a compliment of sorts. These players represent a bargain for whoever they line out for and while they might not be world beaters, they're the next best thing.
1. Dirk Kuyt/Kevin Doyle
Workmanlike, under valued and stuck out on the wing for parts of their career, Kuyt and Doyle are like two peas in a pod. Though Kuyt found the net with more regularity than the Wexford man which means that Doyle has to be the discount version of the Dutchman.
Kevin Doyle is a poor mans Dirk Kuyt!
— Shaun Lyons (@DeathB4Honour) February 26, 2018
2. Wes Hoolahan / Lionel Messi
One of the more obvious suggestions for this article, but apt nevertheless. Diminutive, much loved 'street footballers', though you could probably buy several hundred Wes Hoolahan's with the transfer fee the Argentine would command.
3. Tuncay/Tugay
Both Turkish, both tricky midfielders with flowing locks and an eye for goal, but the Blackburn man more so than his Middlesbrough counterpart.
Tuncay is a poor man’s Tugay!
— David Kent (@KentoCCFC) February 26, 2018
4. Shaun Wright Phillips/ Raheem Sterling
Pacy wingers with an affected run, but crucially Sterling has managed to find an end product.
5. Lee Cattermole / Roy Keane
Wanted at Liverpool during Kenny Dalglish's man, much like Keane when the Scotsman was in charge of Blackburn. Both tough tackling midfielders with a penchant for red cards, in the fullness of time Dalglish will be a lot sorer about missing out on the Irishman than the Sunderland captain.
6. Pavlyuchenko/Cameron Diaz
I couldn't help but throw this in from Jack Payne.
Pavlyuchenko was a poor mans Cameron Diaz
— Jack Payne (@JackthePayne) February 26, 2018
7. Martin is a poor man’s Michael
Martin is a poor man’s Michael.
— Ronan Murphy (@swearimnotpaul) February 26, 2018
Just going to leave this here...
8. Niklas Bendtner/Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Tall, cocky Scandinavian strikers, though Zlatan backed up his tremendous ego a lot more than Lord Bendtner did.
9. Xavi/Joe Allen
The comparison has existed ever since Brendan Rodgers' ill-advised praise of the Allen, dubbing the current Stoke man the 'Welsh Xavi' and while Allen has become a vital player at the Britannia he hasn't quite passed his way to as much success as the Barcelona legend.
10. Paul McShane/Sergio Ramos
Dunphy once remarked of the Real Madrid captain; "he's Paul McShane on steroids", and If that line doesn't warrant the pair's inclusion in this article then I give up.
11. Eden Hazard/Hatem Ben Arfa
The Frenchman showed sumptuous skills for a spell at Newcastle but temperament issues meant that he never quite reached the heights of the Belgian. Both capable dribblers, Ben Arfa's star has faded somewhat and now plies his trade at PSG where he has made zero appearances this season.
12. Ronaldo/ Nani
Capable free kick takers, both with a thunderous shot and skills to burn, though Ronaldo has been a lot more prolific than Nani, eclipsing his compatriot for both club and country.
