Since the inception of the Premier League in 1992, there have been unbelievable names in the league. Of course we all remember the biggest stars, but sometimes the best names belong to those who's light shun so bright that they could not hang around for too long.
On The Balls.ie Football Show this week, the lads debated what was the greatest name in Premier League history. The selection criteria was simple:
- This had nothing to do with their playing ability, and was purely down to their name.
- It didn't have to be funny (although it could be), and may instead be simply fun to say.
- Bonus points were available if you remembered the player purely because of how good their name was.
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Each of the three lads gave five nominations, and also a few honourable mentions.
Some of the names that didn't make the final lists included Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Massimo Macaroni, Mikkel Back, Titus Bramble, Cesar Azpilicueta and Demba Ba.
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In the end, this was the five they came up with.
Gary
Papa Bouba Diop
Ricky van Wolfwinkel
Steed Malbranque
Eric Maxim Chupo-Moting
Oussama Assaidi
Gary: I like the way it feels in my mouth.
Sean: It's a nice fuzzy name to say. It just feels nice to say. The amount of 's's in it, your tongue is kind of shaking as you say it. I like it.
Mark: It's one that would fly completely under the radar.
Sean
Joseph Desire-Job
Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink
He insisted on putting his full name on the back of his jersey, which is something I absolutely respect...
They had to get a specialised font made for 'Vennegoor of Hesselink' so that they could fit it on a straight line on the back of his jersey.
I love that man.
Nicola Ventola
Stelios Giannakopoulos
Pegguy Arphexad
Mark
Papa Bouba Diop
Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink
Quincy Owusu-Abeyie
Jean-Alain Boumsong
Mark: Newcastle have a tremendous, tremendous record of centre backs who's names are fun to say, including the underrated Titus Bramble.
Gary: You often forget Boumsong's first name. He's a player who you always remember, but never consider his first name. When you say it all in one go it flows, I like it.
Christophe Dugarry
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If you have any other suggestions, send them on to the show and we will read out some of the best next week.
