David Moyes was unimpressed with several Manchester United players that he deemed overweight…
Former Manchester United manager David Moyes has revealed in an interview with FourFourTwo that he deemed several of his players ‘overweight’ during his short time with the club last season.
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“Yes, I did ban chips,” said Moyes, who is now working in La Liga with Real Sociedad after lasting just ten months into a six-year contract at Old Trafford. “It was because a couple of players were overweight and I didn’t think chips were good for their diet.”
However, despite Moyes’ complaints, there are a handful of players who have enjoyed successful careers despite regularly battling with their weight. In the pages below, we count down the top ten:
10) Jan Molby
The 33-time Danish international was a cult hero at Anfield. He played 218 league games for Liverpool, winning 11 major honours, including three first division titles and three FA Cups.
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9) Antonio Cassano
A fabulous talent, but one that could have been even more successful. Weight issues cost him during spells with Real Madrid and AC Milan, but he’s enjoyed success at a number of other Italian clubs and with his country.
8) Grant Holt
A giant presence, but as Holt has said himself: “Everyone has the presumption that I’m massive but when people meet me they realise I’m not as big as they think.” The former Norwich and Aston Villa man has enjoyed an excellent career.
7) Neville Southall
Southall made almost 600 appearances during a successful and lengthy spell with Everton, but continued to pile on the pounds has his career drew to a close. He’s not yet managed to turn things around since retiring.
6) Andy Reid
Fans once sung of the player: “Andy Reid, Andy Reid running down the wing. Andy Reid, Andy Reid been to Burger King”. The Republic of Ireland international has enjoyed plenty of success, losing two stone in 2009 while with Sunderland.
5) Neil Ruddock
The former Liverpool star was a no-nonsense centre-back, with a build that backed that up. Teams began to place weight clauses into his contracts, with Crystal Palace and Swindon both ditching him for failing to meet their demands.
4) Adebayo Akinfenwa
The 16-stone giant has become a cult figure throughout his time carving out a career in the lower leagues. He scored against Liverpool for AFC Wimbledon in this year’s FA Cup and still appears to be more muscle than fat.
3) Paul Gascoigne
The former Tottenham star was regularly criticised for returning for pre-season overweight. His talent was never in question but his weight troubles worsened as his career progressed, particularly while in Italy with Lazio.
2) Tom Huddlestone
Huddlestone once said: “I’ve lost a bit of weight but I’m not really concerned with that,” after Spurs manager Juande Ramos announced his intention to clamp down on player’s eating habits. He’s looked trimmer since a move to Hull.
1) Diego Maradona
One of the greatest footballers of all time began ballooning in his later career as his drug problems took hold, but he continued to impress for both club and country. He underwent gastric bypass surgery in 2005.