From Fowler to Bale: five players who returned to the clubs where they shined | Premier League
YoIkay Gündogan is back at Manchester City and could make his “second debut” for the club against Ipswich on Saturday. Before the 33-year-old does so, we look back at five other games Premier League Players who returned to the clubs where they were stars and reflect on what happened the first time they returned to play for them.
Robbie Fowler, Liverpool, 2006
The striker who became known as 'God' to the Anfield faithful returned there just over four years after leaving for Leeds, via Manchester City. on free transfer in January 2006Fowler never wanted to leave Liverpool and was clearly moved by the hero's welcome he received when he came on as a 63rd-minute substitute against Birmingham. Liverpool were leading 1-0 at the time thanks to a Steven Gerrard goal, but in the end Fowler's great day was spoiled by Xabi Alonso, who, having also come on as a substitute, scored an own goal two minutes from time. Fowler almost had the final say after scoring with a bicycle kick in added time, but the 30-year-old was ruled offside. He eventually scored again for Liverpool in a 5-1 win over Fulham in March and continued to play for them until May 2007.
Paul Scholes, Manchester United, 2012
The return of one of Manchester United's most senior players came as a huge surprise. Less than a year after hanging up his boots following an illustrious 18-year career at Old Trafford, Scholes was back after being persuaded by Sir Alex Ferguson to come out of retirement to help his boyhood club through an injury crisis. Out of the blue, the 37-year-old was named by Ferguson as one of his substitutes for United's FA Cup third-round match against Manchester City in January 2012 and came on with half an hour remaining of a thrilling derby that ended in a 3-2 victory for the visitors Scholes continued at United for another 15 months, winning his 11th Premier League title before retiring again for good.
Thierry Henry, Arsenal, 2012
In January 2012, Arsenal also brought back their top scorer. The Frenchman returned on a two-month loan from New York Red Bulls to cover the absences of Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh, who were unavailable due to their participation in the African Cup of Nations. The 34-year-old made a perfect comeback and scored the winner in the 78th minute. an FA Cup third round tie against Leeds at the Emirates Stadium after coming on as a substitute. It was Henry's 227th goal for Arsenal and, as expected, it sent the home fans into a jubilant mood. Henry's last goal for Arsenal came in added time during the match. A Premier League trip to Sunderland A few weeks later, he left Arsenal for a second time in February 2012 and, once again, he left as a hero.
Didier Drogba, Chelsea, 2014
Jose Mourinho convinced the 36-year-old to return to Stamford Bridge to help bolster Chelsea's attack in their quest to win another Premier League title under the Portuguese. Drogba, who had been a key figure during Chelsea's success under Mourinho the first time around, heeded the call, insisting he “couldn't turn down the chance to work with Jose again” and did so as a free agent following spells at Shanghai Shenhua and Galatasaray. The Ivorian made his second debut in Chelsea's opening game of the 2014-15 season against Burnley. Mourinho's men went on to easily win the Premier League title. a 3-1 win at Turf MoorDrogba replaced Eden Hazard six minutes from time and came close to scoring with a volley. He would go on to finish the season with four league goals. How Chelsea actually won the titlethe third with Mourinho in charge and the fourth with Drogba in attack.
Gareth Bale, Tottenham, 2020
Bale lifted spirits at Tottenham during the dark days of the pandemic by returning after a trophy-laden spell at Real Madrid. The Welshman insisted he was “hungry and motivated” to make an impact at the club he had once dazzled at after an increasingly difficult time in the capital and made his second Spurs debut at an empty Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in A thrilling 3-3 draw against West Ham In October 2020, the hosts had gone 3-0 up but blew a seemingly unattainable lead at the last moment. Bale came on as a 72nd-minute substitute and missed a great chance in added time. There were flashes of brilliance, too, from the 31-year-old, who scored 11 goals in 20 league games before returning to the Bernabeu.
