An all-time Premier League Crocked XI

With Tottenham and Manchester United recently releasing two high earning former England internationals due to long term injury concerns, it is fitting to look at an all-star Premier League team of regularly injured players. This side fully fit would stand a chance of challenging for honours, but the reality is that it is a collection of talented players that have underachieved due to long periods on the sidelines. The cost of mis-spent transfer fees and wages in the multi-millions, let’s take a look at the club physio’s best friends who need to top up their multivitamins.

GK: Chris Kirkland – The 30-year-old stopper has had a massively frustrating career, as after a £6 million transfer from Coventry to Liverpool and a solitary international cap, the goalkeeper’s career went has went down the pan. The Wigan man has suffered ankle and back problems in his time in the Premier League, and after so much promise will play second fiddle to Ali Al-Habi at the DW Stadium in 2011/12.

DF : Fabio Aurelio – Promised much as he signed for Liverpool from Valencia and looked like a dangerous attacking full back or accomplished winger when given a chance at Anfield. Has suffered a broken leg, achilles and thigh problems throughout his career and despite still being on the books at the Merseyside club is all but a forgotten entity.

DF : Jonathan Woodgate – The 31-year old centre back has ‘played’ for leading clubs throughout his career, with spells on the sidelines at Newcastle, Real Madrid and Tottenham amongst others. Played only nine games in three seasons for the Spanish side following a £13.4 million transfer, and managed half an hour at the San Siro for Spurs against Milan before Harry Redknapp decided to release him at the end of 2010/11. Has just signed for Stoke, in what is a massive gamble by Tony Pullis, who will be loading him with Vitamin D and other supplements to hope he stays fit.

DF : Ledley King : When the Tottenham legend is fit, he is a top drawer, international defender with class and quality. Problem is that the Stepney born centre half has been blighted with a knee injury for virtually the entirety of his career, and only managed a handful of appearances for the London side in 2010/11. Famously does not train between matches (when able to play).

DF : Wes Brown – Sunderland’s new signing has had an up and down career, having seen silverware at Old Trafford but missing long spells with achilles, knee and ankle problems. Inconsistent performances and appearances have limited the defender from reaching his potential.

MF : Kieron Dyer – Another England international who had the footballing world at his feet after emerging as a tricky forward for Newcastle, Dyer has played only 30 games in four seasons for West Ham since joining in 2007. A broken leg and continual hamstring injuries mean that the 33-times capped player will rot away in The Championship next season.

MF : Owen Hargreaves – England Player of the Year in 2006, Bayern Munich and Manchester United star with a glittering career ahead of him. That was in 2007. He has only played 27 games since. A sure thing for any injury list, Hargreaves has been released by Manchester United, and despite a Youtube video trying to prove his fitness, remains unattached.

MF : Jamie Redknapp – The now football pundit’s career was shackled by injury during his time at Liverpool, Spurs and Southampton, and the midfielder retired earlier than he should have. A good player and a great striker of the ball when fit, Redknapp never fully lived up to his potential due to crippling knee injuries.

MF : Darren Anderton (c) – The first name you think of when the words ‘football’ and ‘injury’ are mentioned in tandem, Sicknote was an excellent player when fit, delighting fans of Tottenham and England. At one time started in the England starting XI ahead of David Beckham, but dodgy hernias, knees and groins meant the Southampton born man is famous for all the wrong reasons.

ST : Michael Owen – Has lost the turn of pace that shot him to fame with Liverpool and his country through repeated groin, knee and hamstring problems, the former Anfield fans favourite is destined to spend another season in the outskirts of the first team at Old Trafford in 2010/11.

ST : Dean Ashton – Just as he was getting into international consideration Ashton’s career was cut short due to an ankle injury, and the West Ham forward retired at the grand age of 26.

Gareth McKnight writes for Soccerlens.com.