8. Michael Bridges
Mike Egerton/EMPICS SportThis may appear strange, Bridges left and had some success away from the club while also returning. But its upon his return that highlights why he could perhaps regret leaving the club. The stick man, who burst onto the scene at 17 for Sunderland clearly had a bright future ahead of him. But like a few others those initial flourishes disappeared under the surface, certainly during the 1997/98 season. While no one had a look in anyway while Quinn and Phillips were at their explosive best. But when injury hit both of them the following year, Bridges came of age. That brought him to the attention of Leeds United, and after failing to agree terms on a new deal Bridges signed for David OLeary. Bridges finally got away from Phillips shadow, scoring over 20 Premier League goals to fire Leeds into the Champions League places. His partnership with Harry Kewell, who believed Bridges the Leeds equivalent to Dennis Bergkamp . Unfortunately for Bridges, his own participation in Leeds Champions League adventure was short-lived. A serious knee injury sustained during a group match would finish Bridges season and blight the rest of his career. The forward would never regain his promise or goal scoring prowess. Perhaps, these days Bridges could have gained a loan move to improve his prospects in a side loaded with such talent as present at the club back then though, chance would be a fine thing.