Danny Blanchflower (1954-64)

The Independent's Ivan Ponting described Blanchflower as "one of the most creative players in the game, capable of dictating the tempo of a match like few others."

Blanchflower was an innovator on and off the field. 

From an international perspective, he played at a time when Northern Ireland were blessed to have players such as George Best, Peter McParland, Harry Gregg and Billy Bingham. 

Darren Anderton (1992-2004)

Darren Anderton never played 50 games in a season but did it warrant the nickname "sick note"?

Michael Bridges or Owen Hargreaves are more suitable candidates for that nickname. 

Injuries did slow down Anderton but even at the end of Anderton's career with Bournemouth, he was still producing magic. 

"Bournemouth will miss him because he is a player who can still unlock a game," said then Chester City manager Mark Wright, who watched Anderton score the winner for Bournemouth, via Herald.ie. "It took a wonder strike to break the deadlock and trust it to be Darren."

Dave Mackay (1959-68)

He played in an era where dirty play was par for the course—the late Billy Bremner typified this mentality. 

When asked about the photo, Mackay told FourFourTwo "I don't like it because it portrays me as a bully."

David Ginola (1997-2000)

The David Ginola-Gerard Houllier feud has always been a point of interest for Premier League fans.
Houllier's resentment of Ginola making a mistake in a critical 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifier ensured the career pathways of both men changed drastically.

For Ginola, he felt compelled to leave France while Houllier's successor Aime Jacquet masterminded Les Bleus' first World Cup triumph in 1998, via BBC Sport:

The mistake made by Ginola at the end of the game in November 1993 was an ambitious cross-field pass to Cantona.

The ball was intercepted and Bulgaria's Emil Kostadinov scored, thereby booking a World Cup berth for Bulgaria in France's place.

He [Ginola] has now re-opened the row, claiming allegations made by Houllier turned him into France's public enemy number one, affecting his family, and also the health of his grandfather.

Houllier went on to lead Liverpool to a cup treble.

Ginola captivated Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur supporters with sublime skill (he would also play for Aston Villa and Everton).


Dimitar Berbatov (2006-08)

Bayer Leverkusen scouts found a special player when they watched Berbatov at CSKA Sofia. 

Even though he only played two seasons with Tottenham Hotspur, his flawless first touch, his ability to play his teammates in and the languid, sloth-like and deceptive dribbling was a sight to behold.