Raducioiu wasn't even the worst forward signing that Redknapp would make in the 1996/97 season, such was the frequency with which 'Arry made ill judged purchases during this era. Paulo Futre had been a great player during the 1980s, helping Porto to the European Cup before becoming a terrace idol at Atletico Madrid. By 1996, however, the 30 year old winger's best days were definitely behind him. Signed on a free transfer from AC Milan, Futre would prove not even worth that much in a season of just nine lacklustre perfomances. Often remembered as one of the club's all time worst players by the Boleyn Ground faithful, Futre caused chaos with his insistence on being given the number 10 shirt, refusing to play unless it was in the number worn by Eusebio, Maradona and Pele. The Hammers' distinctly un-Maradona-esque number 10 John Moncur would eventually trade the number for two weeks in Futre's holiday villa. It was probably not worth all the fuss, though, and Futre was released from the club at the end of the season, ending up in semi-retirement in Japan a year later. Ultimately, Futre can at least compare himself to Pele in one respect. Both men went on to advertise erectile dysfunction products after their playing days, with Futre's bizarre advert even more laughable than his West Ham career.
