Emile Heskey was the super striker when he joined liverpool, he then left and joined Birmingham City, I’m sure the liverpool fans will give him bad reviews, be fair talk about his best and worse features.
Emile Heskey was the super striker when he joined liverpool, he then left and joined Birmingham City, I’m sure the liverpool fans will give him bad reviews, be fair talk about his best and worse features.
April 6, 2006 at 3:14 am
Emile ‘Bruno’Heskey, eh? Interesting. When he arrived at the Reds in March 2000 for a then club record fee of £11m, one of the lines Gerard Houllier span was: “…the good thing is he is only 22 so he can still develop as a player.”
I remember how many of my mates and fellow matchgoers were slightly underwhelmed, and in some cases, utterly outraged, by the arguably extortionate price paid for said ‘developing’ striker, who, up to that point in his career, didn’t even score many goals.
However big Emile’s first calendar year for Liverpool was a complete success; consistently leading the line, often alone in the abscence of Michael Owen, Heskey netted 22 goals during his first season, and by the turn of the year had five winner’s medals in his bag.
At that point, the £11m looked like money well spent.
However it wasn’t to last. The remainder of his time at Anfield was tarnished by a succession of timid and mediocre displays. Granted, he did net a few more, and in his defense he always had an exceptionally high work rate, but lack of confidence and composure in front of goal ultimately signalled the end of his career in a Red shirt.
One particular memory of Heskey will live with me for a long, long time. In an FA Cup tie (2003/4?) at home to Crystal Palace (which we lost), Heskey received the ball and broke full throttle from the half way line. As Palace were committed to the attack, Heskey’s pace easily took him clear of their last man, and he bore down on their keeper from about fifty yards.
I’ll never forget the scene; Heskey going one on one with plenty of time to think about which corner to slot the ball in, the Kop urging him on and me looking at my dad and us nodding at each other knowingly, resigned, already stone cold CERTAIN that he wouldn’t convert this glorious opportunity, yet hoping, praying that he would prove us wrong.
He shot tamely into the keeper’s arms.
I also remember the then Roma manager Fabio Capello stating that if he could train Heskey for a year, he’d turn him into a monster (or something like that). Perhaps that potential is still there somewhere within Bruno, but as he slowly creeps towards 30, surely the apex of his career has long passed.
Eventually Houllier was shown the door, and Heskey, whom Gerard had supported through thick and thin, whether up front or wide right, whether scoring or not, was next out.
Good luck for the future Emile and you’ll never walk alone…