Lys Mousset is currently lighting up Bramall Lane following his summer move from Bournemouth.
Lys Mousset is making waves at Bramall Lane for Sheffield United. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
The Frenchman moved to Sheffield United in the summer after an underwhelming spell for the Cherries. Within four months of making his debut, he has already surpassed his goal tally with Eddie Howe’s men.
His latest strike – a lovely finish into the corner at Wolves – once again showed his class. The first touch, spin, and accuracy of his shot showed everything that Mousset is all about.
However, despite being a relatively odd one out in a squad full of British players, Mousset is not the first foreign import to succeed at Bramall Lane.
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Over the years, the Blades have brought in a number of exciting foreign imports. Some have worked better than others. Players have come in every position from afar. Indeed, a quick look back at the history books shows the likes of Olivier Tebily, Vas Borbokis, and Roger Nilsen all enjoyed success in a United shirt.
But in terms of striking options, who has enjoyed similar success to that which Mousset is experiencing right now?
Sheffield United News writer, Lee Connor, took a look back at some of the best foreign strikers to grace the hallowed Bramall Lane turf…
Marcelo
Signed in 1997 as a relative unknown from Alaves, Marcelo went on to become a firm fan favourite with Sheffield United supporters.
He scored over 20 goals in his two-year spell with the club. He was big, quick enough over ten yards, and could finish with both his feet and his head.
Marcelo scored his most famous goal for the Blades at Coventry City. (Mandatory Credit: Mark Thompson /Allsport)
Marcelo’s crowning moment came in the FA Cup quarter-final tie with Coventry City. He scored the equaliser at Highfield Road with a famous celebration revealing a matching Blades shirt under the one he was wearing. A priceless moment, from a quality player.
Pyotr Kachura
Another from a similar era to Marcelo, Kachura spent four years with the Blades between 1996 and 2000.
He arrived with plenty of potential and had blistering pace. However, his time at Bramall Lane was blighted by injury and he never quite got the goals his talent might have warranted.
Still, he was very capable and was big fan favourite during his time with the club.
Laurent D’Jaffo
D’Jaffo didn’t have the best goalscoring record but he goes down in Blades fans’ memories for the simple fact he scored during a win at Hillsborough.
Laurent D’Jaffo helped the Blades to a win over rivals Wednesday in 2001. (Mandatory Credit: Laurence Griffiths/ALLSPORT)
The Frenchman was quite the handful on his day and formed a useful partnership with Carl Asaba for the Blades.
He’ll probably be disappointed to have not achieved a little bit more during his spell with United.
Henri Camara
The Senegalese striker was hardly prolific for the Blades but he was a player who excited the fans when he was on the field.
He only managed the four goals during his time with the club, a season which saw United miss out on the play-offs under Kevin Blackwell.
Camara enjoyed a good enough career in the main and is one of a number of players a lot of Blades fans have probably forgot even played for the club.
Colin Kazim-Richards
A player once dubbed the ‘Coca-Cola Kid’, Kazim-Richards has actually gone on to have a very good, if not varied, career.
Colin Kazim-Richards celebrates his stunning goal against Bolton Wanderers. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
A full Turkish international and spells at world giants like Fenerbahce, Galatasaray, and Corinthians mean Kazim-Richards has a lot to be proud of.
He’s best remembered in a Blades shirt for stunning curling effort against Bolton Wanderers the last time United were in the top flight.
Best of the rest
Besides the above strikers, the Blades have had a few more foreign forwards on the books over the years.
Honorable mentions go to the likes of Luton Shelton, Daniel Bogdanovic, and Ade Akinbiyi. Peter Ndlovu was one of the most successful foreign players to play for United, but he was more of a winger.
Finally, older fans will chastise me if I don’t mention one Alex Sabella. A true genius of a footballer with more talent than most players to don the red and white shirt.
