10 Underwhelming Spurs Signings Who Became Cult Heroes

3. Steed Malbranque

French winger Steed Malbranque was always renowned as being a good player at Fulham. A solid, consistent performer for a club punching above their weight, he had made over 150 appearances for the Cottagers without ever threatening the international scene. Surely Champions League-chasing Spurs were aiming a little higher than this example of mid-table cannon fodder? With their north London rivals having just reached a Champions League final, they were going to try and cement their place in the top four, thus pushing Spurs further and further away. While a capable player, was this £2 million deadline day signing from across the city really going to bridge the gap? Malbranque was the ultimate cult hero at White Hart Lane. Wearing his heart on his sleeve, he tirelessly gave his all, bombing down the wing time and time again, and tracking back until the 95th minute. Not afraid to run himself into the ground, he often self-sacrificed himself for the good of the team. At the end of the 07/08 season, he finished in the top five in the Premier League for tackles made and tackles per minute. He also possessed the knack that helps most new signings get supporters on their side - scoring important goals, including the club's 150th goal in Europe with a last 16 strike against Braga in March 2007. When he followed fellow Spurs' favourites Teemu Tainio and Pascal Chimbonda to Wearside in the summer of 2008, it was his loss that would be most keenly felt, as Spurs supporters pleaded for him to stay. However, for all his temerity and will, his exit was probably what was needed to allow Gareth Bale to realise that he was so much more than just an up-and-coming left-back.