Source: Daily_Mail
The List: Sportsmail's top 50 free transfers, Nos 10-1
HAVE YOUR SAY... Who is your favourite free transfer? Sol Campbell, Henrik Larsson, Ruud Gullit and John Collins make the cut as we count down the 50 best free transfers in world football. We reckon we've nailed it but, as ever, we want to know what you think of Sportsmail's latest edition of The List. TELL US WHAT YOU THINK The best things in life are free - but don't tell Real Madrid.[LNB]The Spanish giants paid Manchester United a world record £80million for Cristiano Ronaldo last summer but teams don't always have to break the bank to land a superstar.[LNB]At the other end of the scale we have the free transfers.[LNB]Inthe week that Arsenal legend Sol Campbell rejoined the Gunners,Sportsmail's team of experts have come up with their favourite freebies.[LNB]And, as always, we want to know what you think about The List.[LNB] Read Nos 50-41Read Nos 40-31Read Nos 30-21Read Nos 20-1110 Ian Wright (Greenwich Borough to Crystal Palace)There's leaving it late to start you career and then there's Ian Wright - full-time plasterer turned record goalscorer. It's some story. [LNB]Word is, this wasn't a free transfer as a set of weights exchanged hands, but we'll skip that detail as the 21-year-old moved to professional football with Palace in 1985 after being spotted playing Sunday League football and later went on to become one of the most prolific scorers in top-flight history. [LNB] Red letter days: Ian Wright (left) and Scotland legend John Collins[LNB]9 John Collins (Celtic to Monaco)Collins became Celtic's first £1million player in 1990 but earned certain notoriety when he left on a free six years later to pursue his dream of playing on the Continent. [LNB]The Bosman ruling was in its infancy when he moved in the summer of 1996 and Celtic applied, unsuccessfully, for compensation from the French club. [LNB]Collins won the French championship in 1997 with and made it through to the semi-final of the 1998 Champions League, beating Manchester United on the way.[LNB]8 John Barnes (Sudbury Court to Watford)Multi-talented Barnes - I'm counting rapping as one of skills, not TV presenting - was another player kicking his heels in non-League football until a big break came his way, which he clutched with both hands.[LNB]Graham Taylor gave the young Barnes a chance in the Watford reserve team after he was scouted playing for Sudbury Town and the faith was repaid with 65 goals in his six season at Vicarage Road before his £900,000 move to Liverpool.[LNB] Youth and experience: John Barnes (left) and Robert Prosinecki[LNB]7 Robert Prosinecki (Standard Liege to Portsmouth)With an incredible nine clubs under his belt when he arrived at the south coast club in 2001, Pompey knew they were getting an experienced player - but they didn't know just how influential he would be.[LNB]The Croatia international is still credited by Portsmouth fans as the man who steered the club away from relegation into League One in the last game of the season. [LNB]His mesmerising brand of skilful and entertaining midfield artistry will be long remembered at Fratton Park and Prosinecki remains in football as assistant to Slaven Bilic in the Croatia national team.[LNB]6 Steve McManaman (Liverpool to Real Madrid)David Beckham? Bah! The former Liverpool winger was plying his trade at the Bernabeu when Becks was still known as Mr Posh Spice. McManaman saw out his contract at Anfield in 1999 and went on a trophy-collecting spree in Spain.[LNB]McManaman won two Spanish league titles, a European Super Cup, the Club World Cup and two Champions League titles with the Spanish giants. But let's not get carried away, with the likes of Zinedine Zidane and Figo in the side, his role wasn't a leading one.[LNB]Still, his medal collection looks great, so do you think he cares?[LNB] All white now: Jay-Jay Okocha (left) and Steve McManaman[LNB]5 Jay-Jay Okocha (Paris Saint-Germain to Bolton)Everyone's favourite old-timer who arrived at Bolton on a free from PSV Eindhoven. He delighted not just the Trotters fans but entertained on every ground he appeared at.[LNB]Sam Allardyce will tell you he was so good they named him twice, and he was right. A sensational four-and-a-half years at the club during which he helped them to secure UEFA Cup football at the club for the first time in their history.[LNB]4 Brad Friedel (Liverpool to Blackburn)The litany of terrible purchases by Graeme Souness during his time in English football has this very fine clause - this American keeper who continues to make his mark as one of the finest stoppers in the Premier League.[LNB]His performances at Ewood after his career hit the skids at Anfield surprised some, but his track record after his move in 2000 speaks for itself.[LNB]He helped Blackburn to win the 2002 League Cup and qualify for Europe on four occasions - and he may add to his League Cup tally with Villa this season.[LNB] On the defensive: Sol Campbell (left) and Brad Friedel[LNB]3 Sol Campbell (Spurs to Arsenal)Arsene Wenger really turned the knife when he stole north London rivals Tottenham's 'crown jewels' - captain and their best player, Mr Spurs: Sol Campbell. [LNB]The England international condemned himself to eternal hatred at White Hart Lane after making the switch in 2001. He went on to win two League titles with the Gunners - the same amount his former club have won in their history. [LNB]Back at the Emirates, Campbell may add to his Premier League crowns with Wenger's side, who are going great this season.[LNB]2 Luis Enrique (Real Madrid to Barcelona)They say it takes a brave man to make the leap between the two giants of Spanish football. [LNB]Yes, you can be brave or just have the winning mind-set of a player like Enrique, who won it all with both clubs and remains revered by both sets of fans. How did he manage that?[LNB]He won two Spanish league titles, two Spanish cups plus the Uefa Cup Winners' Cup after his switch to the Nou Camp in 1996 and replaced Pep Guardiola as the reserve team manger in 2008.[LNB] Free glee: Kevin Davies (left) and Luis Enrique[LNB]1 Kevin Davies (Southampton to Bolton)The big centre-forward was suffering something of a plateau to his career before Sam Allardyce decided upon one of his finest transfer moves in 2003. [LNB]His spell with Blackburn was a failure but that was forgotten when he returned back to the north-west after Southampton released him from his contract and his form blossomed.[LNB]Never the paciest of forwards but runs the line just as well, if not better, then many names that regularly feature on the England team-sheet. What say you to a World Cup place, Mr Capello?[LNB][LNB]The best of the rest of The ListSportsmail's top 50 Premier League players of the decadeSportsmail's top 50 last-gasp goals in British footballSportsmail's top 50 footballers never to play at the World CupSportsmail's top 50 sporting feuds of all timeSportsmail's 50 great sports photographsSportsmail's top 50 commentators of all timeSportsmail's top 50 sporting venuesSportsmail's top 50 performers of the season so farSportsmail's top 50 all-time managers in BritainSportsmail's top 50 goal poachersSportsmail's top 50 footballing traitorsSportsmail's top 50 FA Cup heroesSportsmail's greatest Wembley finals in historySportsmail's top 50 biggest hitters in cricketSportsmail's top 50 British & Irish LionsSportsmail's top 50 Ashes heroes
