This
week’s football list features the five most influential Danish players in English football through time.
Position: Goalkeeper
Premier League career:
1991-1999 Manchester United (293 matches/0 goals)
2001-2002 Aston Villa (29 matches/1 goal)
2002-2003 Manchester City (29 matches/0 goals)
I honestly don’t think Peter Schmeichel needs further introduction. His 292 matches, five Premier League titles, three FA Cup titles, one League Cup title, four Charity Cup titles, one Champions League title and one UEFA Super Cup title for Manchester United, says it all. In his only second season, in Manchester United, the goalkeeper had none the less than 22 clean sheets, helping the team to their first Premier League championship in twenty six years.
Schmeichel left Manchester United in 1999 to join Sporting CP in the Portuguese league, only to be back in England two years later. Here, he joined Aston Villa and became the first goalkeeper to ever score in a Premier League match. In his last active year, the Great Dane, joined Manchester City and made a record in the Manchester Derby. Schmeichel has never been on the losing side.
Today Peter Schmeichel is Carlsberg’s Global Ambassador during the UEFA Euro 2012.
Position: Midfielder
Premier League career: 1984-1996 Liverpool FC (292 matches/61 goals)
Jan Mølby joined Liverpool FC from Ajax Amsterdam in 1984 and was a regular part of the team in the League Championship winning season in 1986, with 39 matches and 14 goals. During his career in Liverpool, Mølby won the League Championship once again, the Charity Shield three times as well as the FA Cup twice. He was also nominated as Man of the Match in the first ever Merseyside FA Cup Derby.
Even though, Mølby have not always been a regular starter in Liverpool, his influence in the club is not to be underestimated, as he has been vital when needed, which is shown by his 292 matches. However, in his last season at The Kop he was on a loan in first Barnsley and later Norwich City.
Today Jan Mølby is working for the Danish TV channel TV3+ as a sports commentator.
1 3. Thomas Gravesen
Position: Midfielder
Premier League career:
2000-2004 Everton (141 matches/11 goals)
2007-2008 Everton (8 matches/0 goals)
Thomas Gravesen is more known as a mean machine than for his great
passing skills. I know that some football fans will wonder how Thomas Gravesen
can be seen as one of the most influential Danish players in the Premier
League. However, the hard hitting midfielder played a vital key role in Everton
and their rise to the top during the 2004-2005 season.
After a more or less failed stay in Real Madrid and Celtic, Gravesen was
back in Everton on a loan in 2007. However, he never really had the success hoped
for.
Today Thomas Gravesen is living in Liverpool.
4. Daniel AggerPosition: Defender
Premier League career:
2006-? Liverpool FC (165 matches/8 goals)
When Daniel Agger joined Liverpool FC in 2006, he was the most expensive defender the club had ever bought, with his £6m transfer deal. Even though, much of his time in Liverpool has been ruined by injuries, the Danish national defender is a regular part of the team when he is fit. The Danish Viking has shown to be an important part of the Liverpool defends and is considered to be one of the best attacking defenders in the club.
So far, Agger has won the Community Shield and the League Cup with Liverpool, as well as been runner up for the UEFA Champions League.
Agger’s importance for Liverpool and their fans cannot be underestimated. However, if the player keeps getting injured his influence on the team may disappear.
Daniel Agger is on contract with Liverpool until 2014.
When Daniel Agger joined Liverpool FC in 2006, he was the most expensive defender the club had ever bought, with his £6m transfer deal. Even though, much of his time in Liverpool has been ruined by injuries, the Danish national defender is a regular part of the team when he is fit. The Danish Viking has shown to be an important part of the Liverpool defends and is considered to be one of the best attacking defenders in the club.
So far, Agger has won the Community Shield and the League Cup with Liverpool, as well as been runner up for the UEFA Champions League.
Agger’s importance for Liverpool and their fans cannot be underestimated. However, if the player keeps getting injured his influence on the team may disappear.
Daniel Agger is on contract with Liverpool until 2014.
5. Per Frandsen
Position: Midfielder
Premier League career:
1996-1999 Bolton Wanderes (130 matches/19 goals)
Position: Midfielder
Premier League career:
1996-1999 Bolton Wanderes (130 matches/19 goals)
1999-2000 Blackburn Rovers (31 matches/5 goals)
2000-2004 Bolton Wanderes (135 matches/ 13 goals)
2004 Wigan Athletic (9 matches/1 goal)
Per Frandsen joined Bolton in 1996, after having won the Danish championship with FC Copenhagen. In Bolton, Frandsen became an instant success and was seen as one of the best foreign players in English football, playing outside the top-flight Premier League Championship. He was a vital part of the team that promoted to the Premier League in 1996.
In 1999, Frandsen joined Blackburn Rovers, but never became a success and returned back to Bolton, where he reached the League Cup in 2004. After overall 304 matches in Bolton, the Dane joined Wigan and helped them promote to the Premiership before ending his career as a result of a cruciate ligament.
Today Per Frandsen is Assistant manager of Danish Superliga team HB Køge.
Per Frandsen joined Bolton in 1996, after having won the Danish championship with FC Copenhagen. In Bolton, Frandsen became an instant success and was seen as one of the best foreign players in English football, playing outside the top-flight Premier League Championship. He was a vital part of the team that promoted to the Premier League in 1996.
In 1999, Frandsen joined Blackburn Rovers, but never became a success and returned back to Bolton, where he reached the League Cup in 2004. After overall 304 matches in Bolton, the Dane joined Wigan and helped them promote to the Premiership before ending his career as a result of a cruciate ligament.
Today Per Frandsen is Assistant manager of Danish Superliga team HB Køge.
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