Banking on Dimi

  • by Staff Writer
  • Wednesday, 11th September 2024

Barclay's Bank were the official sponsors of the English Premier League for 12 years between 2004 and 2016, before being downgraded to the league's official banking partner.

The second and final primary sponsor, following on from the Carling Brewery, Barclays were synonymous with English football for well over a decade.


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It was a period during which West Ham United enjoyed two promotions, one relegation and one FA Cup final while being managed by no fewer than six managers: Alan 'Pards' Pardew (2003-2006), Alan 'Curbs' Curbishley (2006-2008), Gianfranco Zola (2008-2010), Avram Grant (2010-2011), Sam Allardyce (2011-2015) and Slaven Bilic (2015-2017).

However it was also a period during which the club hosted one of the world's greatest players, and someone who regularly topped the statistical charts for European football.

And even though he featured in the Barclay's Premier League for just one season, according to statisticians Opta, Dimitri Payet created more chances per 90 minutes for his team mates during that 12-year spell than any other player.

Payet could simply do no wrong in a claret and blue shirt during the 2015/16 campaign, the final season at the club's beloved Boleyn Ground before it was razed to the ground.

A very respectable return of 12 goals from 38 appearances was complemented by 14 assists, giving Payet a total of 26 goal involvements for the campaign from those 38 appearances - 30 in the Premier League, six in the FA Cup, one in the League Cup and one in Europa League qualifying.


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The top ten featured players in the Opta list contains a number of similarly legendary figures, such as Ryan Giggs - formerly of Manchester United - Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and former Arsenal and Germany creative force Mesut Özil.

Yet none could quote match the output of Payet that season - a year in which he was quite possibly the most dangerous player on the planet in the opposition's final third.


Barclay's Premier League (2004-2016):
Leading Chance Creators per 90 minutes


1. Dimitri Payet 4.2
2. Mesut Özil 3.7
3. Kevin De Bruyne 3.5
3. Sylvain Marveaux 3.5
5. David Silva 3.3
6. Florent Malouda 3.2
7. Ryan Giggs 3.1
8. Christian Eriksen 3.0
9. Dusan Tadic 2.9
9. Mark Gower 2.9

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