Louis Saha began his career as a youth prodcut of FC Metz. At the tender age of 19 his made his first team debut, playing against Montpellier in the French version of the Carling Cup.
Despite the fact that he made his breakthrough at this early age, he found himself unable to secure himself a first team spot, and was eventually offered out on loan to save Metz from paying his wages.
Newcastle United beckoned, and a less than successful stint there proved that he was still too raw to be taken seriously by the large sides of Europe.
Louis Saha began his career as a youth prodcut of FC Metz. At the tender age of 19 his made his first team debut, playing against Montpellier in the French version of the Carling Cup.
Despite the fact that he made his breakthrough at this early age, he found himself unable to secure himself a first team spot, and was eventually offered out on loan to save Metz from paying his wages.
Newcastle United beckoned, and a less than successful stint there proved that he was still too raw to be taken seriously by the large sides of Europe.
His luck changed in 2000, when he was finally given an extended run in the Metz team, and fired home four goals in 23 appearances before leaving for Fulham in 2000. Fulham had seen his potential and swooped to capture him for just £2.1million.
03/04
Over 100 appearances and 53 goals later, Manchester United came calling. Depsite the fact that Fulham boss Chris Coleman didn’t want Saha to go, he couldn’t pass up the opportunity, and arrived at Old Trafford in January 2004, for £12million.
His debut came against Southampton on January 30th, when a deflected free-kick found its way into the back of the net. His bustling style of play alongside the similarly tenacious van Nistelrooy signalled that it could take United to another level, with the pair linking up nicely for the rest of the season, and Saha grabbing 7 goals.
His form also led to a France call up, with Louis winning his first cap against Belgium in February 2004, and scoring!
He didn’t play in the FA Cup Final that year because he was cup-tied, so was made to wait for his first medal.
04/05
What should have been Saha’s chance to shine proved into a nightmare season, with injuries and signings making Saha’s life difficult.
First Alan Smith arrived from leeds to compete for a place, and then United blew the budget on Wayne Rooney, who at £27million, would have been expected to play every week.
Saha was hampered by thigh strain after hamstring pull after back pain, and struggled to get many matches in that season, and scoring just once.
05/06
His injury travails hadn’t improved by the start of season 2005/06, but thankfully a full recovery seemed to finally be on the cards.
He returned to full fitness in November, and immediatley challenged van Nistelrooy and Rooney for their places. Rooney’s was obviously safe, but Ruud van Nistelrooy, the crowd favourite, was starting to get on Sir Alex Ferguson’s nerves, and was cut.
Saha was given a few chances over Christmas, but his real break of fortune came when Fergie dropped van Nistelrooy for the Carling Cup Final. Saha won, and Ruud didn’t get on the field all match. Ruud wasn’t happy, and this slowly saw the end of the Flying Dutchman at the club.
06/07
The summer of 2006 saw Louis play for France in the World Cup. He played mainly as the substitute, coming on to add some speed to the French play, as France progressed through the rounds.
As the tournament hotted up, Saha was on hand for some last minute defending against Spain, and it was this yellow card, and the subsequent one against Portugal, that saw him suspended for the World Cup Final. He could only watch as his team-mates lost on penalties, and he picked up a runners up medal.
Van Nistelrooy had moved on to Real by the time Saha got back from his holidays, and Fergie had made him his first choice strike-foil with Rooney, and backed Louis to score 20 goals a season. We hope he’s right…