With WhoScored stats available for any 16-year-old’s plying their trade in the farthest reaches of Peru, professional football has become a sport for those in the know, or at least those wishing to bore their mates down the pub with their latest free bets picks.
You don’t, however, have to go too far back in Premier League history to find a time were new signings were genuine mysteries to even the most loyal of terrace supporters.
Step forward Paulo Wanchope, who in one season became a Derby County legend.
Costing a not insignificant £600,000 from Herediano (netting an impressive 20 goals in 14 games), Paulo César Wanchope Watson was snapped up along with fellow Costa Rican international Mauricio Solís on 27 March 1997.
At the time Derby were having a stellar season. Promoted the season before, ‘proper football man’ Jim Smith had steered the club to a mid-table position. With the newly build Pride Park ready to move into the following year, not since the glory days of Brian Clough was it so good to be a Derby fan.
Things were about to get even better.
Tasked with a 5th of April visit to Old Trafford at the business end of the season, The Rams may have been expecting a serious doin’ over by Fergies band of trophy hoggers. Things, somewhat hilariously, didn’t go to plan for the red-nosed Scotsman.
Just 28 minutes into the affair, United got their first taste of the Bambi-legged striker. Raising to meet a Paul Trollope cross, Wanchope nodded down brilliantly for Ashley Ward to send a deflected effort over the furious Peter Schmeichel. First blood Derby.
With the Old Trafford faithfull counting on a resurgence in fortunes, the home side were hit with a hammer blow of epic proportions.
Goal v United
With graceful skill and technique exhibited in his own inimitable way, Wanchope piched up the ball on the half-way line, weaving past one, then two, then three, then four Manchester United defenders to then send a graceful finish past Schmeichel – an incredible debut goal.
The striker leaped in delight, followed by a single fist in the air, it was the ultimate way to announce himself on the Premier League stage. Indeed, there was only one name on the lips of every fan – Paolo bloody Wanchope.
The Stretford end was silenced. Indeed, the gut-punch was too much for even the likes of Beckham, Cantona and Cole to recover – Derby went on to claim a famous 3-2 win.
Arsenal
Heading the Derby County strikeforce as a known entity the following season, Jim Smith raided Italy to snatch up Francesco Baiano to assist the striker on his goal-scoring endeavors. It was in this season the Rams possibly saw an even better performance against Arsenal.
Running the show against such luminaries as Manu Petit, Patrick Viera and Steve Bould, Wanchope netted a couple of goals to put the eventual champions to the sword.
Another magic day Derby fans.
Before leaving for West Ham United for 6 times the price they paid for him, the striker would become one the clubs most iconic players.
Nationality: Costa Rican
Position: Striker
Goals Scored: 102
Total Appearances: 264
Clubs Played For: Herediano, Derby County, West Ham United, Manchester City, Málaga, Al-Gharafa, Herediano, Rosario, FC Tokyo, Chicago Fire