Bebe, Ali Dia & Djemba-Djemba feature in Worst Premier League team of all time

Bebe, Ali Dia & Djemba-Djemba feature in Worst Premier League team of all time image

Though the Premier League has had its fair share of star names produce the best football of their careers since its inception in 1992, it's fair to say not every player has impressed.

Goal takes a look back through the archives to put together the worst XI in the history of the Premier League...


MASSIMO TAIBI | MANCHESTER UNITED


Massimo Taibi Manchester United

United struggled for a stable goalkeeper in the immediate aftermath of Peter Schmeichel's departure from Old Trafford, but none were as laughably bad as Taibi.

Forever remembered for allowing a weak Matt Le Tissier shot through his legs during a clash with Southampton, he played just four league matches after arriving in 1999 from Venezia before being sent back to Italy.


PER KROLDRUP | EVERTON


Per Kroldrup Everton

Signed from Udinese for £5 million in 2005, the Denmark international seemed like a perfect addition to the Toffees squad.

Instead he was forced to undergo groin surgery before even kicking a ball before eventually making his Premier League debut against Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

The Goodison Park outfit lost 4-0, and he was never seen again.


IGORS STEPANOVS | ARSENAL


Igor Stepanovs Arsenal

Signed to cover for the injured Tony Adams at the turn of the millennium, Stepanovs got off to an inauspicious start when he was exposed during a 6-1 defeat to Manchester United soon after arriving in north London.

Though the Gunners did enjoy success in his four years at the club, the Latvia international was certainly not the reason, and he was sold having made just 17 league appearances in four years.


WINSTON BOGARDE | CHELSEA


Winston Bogarde Chelsea

If memes had existed during the early 2000s, then Bogarde would certainly have become one!

Seemingly bought against manager Gianluca Vialli's will, it soon became clear the former Barcelona defender was not good enough for the Blues.

However, the veteran soon realised he would not be able to get a similar contract elsewhere, and as such ran down his four years at Stamford Bridge despite only making nine appearances. He finally left the club in 2004 and never played football again.


CHRISTIAN NEGOUAI | MANCHESTER CITY


Christian Negouai Manchester City

Described by Kevin Keegan as "the most exciting player" he'd ever signed in 2001, Negouai promised to revolutionise the City midfield.

Instead he made one Premier League appearance, and proceeded to get himself sent off after spending just three minutes on the pitch.


ERIC DJEMBA-DJEMBA | MAN UTD & ASTON VILLA


Eric Djemba-Djemba Manchester United

Signed by United as a potential successor to Roy Keane in 2003, Djemba-Djemba certainly had an aggressive style, but that was where the positives ended.

After two years at Old Trafford he was sold to Aston Villa, but he struggled to establish himself at Villa Park, too. So bad they named him twice.


ALI DIA | SOUTHAMPTON


Graeme Souness Southampton

The story of Southampton boss Graeme Souness being fooled by a George Weah-impersonator in 1996 to sign his cousin is well known and has gone down in footballing legend.

Brought on to make his debut as a replacement for Matt Le Tissier, it soon became clear Dia was not even good enough to be a professional footballer, never mind one in the Premier League. He soon disappeared.


BRUNO CHEYROU | LIVERPOOL


Bruno Cheyrou Liverpool

Dubbed the "new Zidane" by Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier upon his arrival in 2002, it's safe to say Cheyrou did not live up to the expectations placed on him.

Sent out on loan twice before eventually being sold in 2006, a winning goal against Chelsea was the only highlight to his time at Anfield.


BEBE | MANCHESTER UNITED


Bebe Manchester United

Signed for £7 million in 2010 despite Sir Alex Ferguson having never seen him play, it soon became apparent that the Portuguese was not up to the required standard.

He made just two Premier League appearances before a series of loan spells preceded his permanent departure, though he has since rebuilt his career in Spain.


PARK CHU-YOUNG | ARSENAL


Park Chu-Young Arsenal

After a successful spell at Monaco, the South Korean striker arrived in north London in 2011 and was immediately handed the No.9 shirt.

That was about as good as it got, however, as he made just one Premier League appearance in three seasons. He will go down as one of Arsene Wenger's most forgettable signings.


BOSKO BALABAN | ASTON VILLA


Bosko Balaban Aston Villa

One of the brightest prospects in Croatian football back in 2001, he arrived at Villa Park for a fee of £5.8 million but was a big-money flop.

He failed to find the net in eight league appearances before eventually being sold back to Dinamo Zagreb.

Worst Premier League XI

What do you make of our team? Have we missed anyone out? Have your say in the comments below...