Greaves, Lineker, Platt, Ince, Gazza and Owen - the best and worst returns to Blighty from Europe

08 January 2010 11:18
Good to be back? Patrick Vieira has left Inter for Manchester City[LNB]Patrick Vieira enjoyed an illustrious nine years with Arsenal but now returns to the Premier League with the intention of firing Manchester City into the Champions League. [LNB]But the France international, 33, should be wary - not every player who has disappeared overseas has it all their own way on their return. [LNB]Sportsmail takes a look at how some of the previous departures have fared after returning back to Blighty. [LNB]Jimmy GreavesDidn't I do well - everywhere? Jimmy Greaves[LNB]One of the greatest English goalscorers ended his time at Chelsea for a move to Italy with AC Milan in 1961. [LNB]His time at AC was brief but Greaves still made an impression, scoring nine in 12 appearances but returned Tottenham where he won the FA Cup twice and was part of the first English team to win a European trophy. [LNB]VERDICT:  Success [LNB]It's a funny old game, when you're as good as Jimmy.[LNB]Paul IncePaul Ince recalls how many good games he had for Liverpool[LNB]After a much publicised fall-out with Sir Alex Ferguson, Ince moved to Italian giants, Internazionale in 1995 and was rated a success despite not winning any trophies.[LNB] However, he returned to England in 1997 and spells at Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Wolves and Swindon failed to match the highs he achieved at Old Trafford.[LNB]VERDICT: Failure[LNB]Have a word with the Guv'nor.  [LNB]Mark Hateley Good in Italy, great in Scotland: Mark Hateley[LNB]The original lofty striker spent three years with AC Milan and Monaco and scored 39 league goals overseas but made his mark when he returned with Rangers in 1990.[LNB] He scored 111 goals in 214 appearances over five years and helped the Ibrox club to five successive league titles before seeing out his career at QPR, Leeds and Hull City.[LNB]VERDICT: Success[LNB]The original Lofty loved it back here.[LNB]Michael OwenWhere did it all go wrong? Michael Owen ruminates[LNB]He left Liverpool for real Madrid in 2004 because he wanted to win the Champions League, only for the reds to go and win it a year after he left. [LNB]The decision to move back to England was the right one but to Newcastle certainly wasn't. Injuries and relegation followed and is struggling to win a place in a United side that is hardly over-burdened with strikers. [LNB]VERDICT: Failure[LNB]The former red-hot talent has gone off the boil.[LNB]David PlattDouble delight: David Platt (right) with David Seaman after Arsenal's 1998 trophy haul[LNB]Many have tried it but few have enjoyed the kind of success Platty enjoyed in Italy's Serie A. [LNB]He played for Bari, Juventus and Sampdoria between 1991 and 1995 before returning to the Premier League where he won the Double with Arsenal in 1998. [LNB]VERDICT: Success[LNB]A fine follow up to his Italian job. [LNB]Mark HughesLegend whenever: Mark HUghes starred in Manchester United's rebirth [LNB]Sparky played for Barcelona and Bayern Munich in between his two spells at Manchester United. [LNB]His varied success abroad was overshadowed by a glut of trophies on his return in 1988 - two Premier League crowns, two Cup Winners' Cup wins, three FA Cups and two League Cups came in the following seven years.[LNB]VERDICT: Success[LNB]Sparked to life on his return to England[LNB]John CharlesFailure? No chance...John Charles was a true great [LNB]Charles joined Juventus from Leeds United in 1957 for a British record £65,000 and in 1997 on Juventus' centenary, Charles was voted the best ever foreign player to play for the club. [LNB]Returned to Leeds and later Cardiff and Hereford but never hit the heights of his early career. [LNB]VERDICT: Failure[LNB]But who cares when you were as great as he was?[LNB]Gary LinekerSpurs legend: Gary Lineker[LNB]Moved to Barcelona in 1986 after a successful spell at Everton - he won the Spanish Cup and the Cup Winners' Cup before his return home, with Spurs in 1989.[LNB] Tottenham were in financial difficulty but a Gazza-inspired FA Cup run included two Lineker goals in the semi with Arsenal before lifting his only domestic trophy after victory over Nottingham Forest. [LNB]VERDICT: Success[LNB]Then he let us all down with those crisp adverts.[LNB]Steve McManamanBetter red than blue: Steve McManaman[LNB]The Kop hero joined Real Madrid on a Bosman free transfer in 1999 and went on to win the Champions League twice, in 2002 and 2002, and he was twice voted the Real supporters favourite player of the year. [LNB]He made his move back to England with Manchester City aged 31 but his best years were behind him and he was released after two years at Eastlands.[LNB]VERDICT: Failure[LNB]Going through the motions in a City shirt[LNB]Paul GascoigneWon it all in Scotland: Paul Gascoigne[LNB]Made his debut for Lazio in 1992 after his serious knee injury while playing for Tottenham in the 1991 FA Cup final. [LNB]He enjoyed his time in Italy - notably in the Rome derbies before moving back to these shores with Rangers - his colourful career continued as he enjoyed back-to-back titles with the Ibrox club before moving on to popular, if unsuccessful, spells with Middlesbrough and Everton. [LNB]VERDICT: Success[LNB]Daft as a brush but a genius on the pitch.[LNB] Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira arrives for Manchester City medical ahead of shock Premier League returnVIDEO SPECIAL: Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira's top five moments as a GunnerWenger 'surprised' by Arsenal legend Vieira's proposed move to Man CityGilberto, Djemba-Djemba, Alves and more - Sportsmail's guide to the worst January transfer window signings ever Arsenal rebuff claims Real Madrid have moved for captain Cesc FabregasMANCHESTER CITY FC

Source: Daily_Mail