Tony Pulis' Stoke City and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are two contrasts that certainly don't sound like they would mesh well, but three years ago, the Potters attempted to combine the unlikely marriage. With Stoke having qualified for the Europa League having finished runners-up to Man City during the previous season's FA Cup, Pulis was looking to add more bodies to his squad, and admitted that the Southampton teenager was high on his list of priorities despite the competition. Pulis' son, Anthony, had been at Southampton with Chamberlain when he was just 16, and duly tipped his father off about the prodigal winger, with a furore surrounding the up-and-coming youth within the Southampton ranks, including the likes of Adam Lallana amongst others.
''We were well aware of he situation, but when you've got Manchester United, Arsenal and the likes chasing him, you understand where you are. The kid is a future England star and I think he could even go to Euro 2012 if he plays enough games, he's that good.'' - Tony Pulis, October 2011.
As it happens, the 18 year old winger did go to the Euros, and started against France in a crunch clash. Still only 21 years of age, Chamberlain is brimming with potential, promise and excitement, and looks set to be a permanent fixture in the Arsenal and national side for years to come. For Pulis, his signature was surely only ever going to be a pipe-dream at best. So that's a wrap - what do you think? Have there been any glaring omissions from the list? After all, football is a game full of opinions. As always, feel free to leave yours in the comment section below.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
