Frank Leboeuf (Chelsea): Leboeuf's finely cultivated image as a highly intelligent member of the Premiership is under threat. In May this year, though, he was involved in a touchline bust-up with Leeds boss David O'Leary, who claimed he had feigned injury after a challenge by Jonathon Woodgate. In October, Leboeuf slammed the state of the English game, saying: "I've never seen as much violence on a pitch as in England." Just two months later, Leboeuf was sent off against Leeds for the second consecutive season - for rashly fouling Harry Kewell - and stamped on his opponent's ankle before leaving the field. He had to be restrained by stewards from confronting O'Leary again.
Nicolas Anelka (Arsenal): Anelka insisted he would leave Arsenal at the end of last season despite scoring 17 goals in 35 matches. Arsenal reluctantly opened talks with Lazio with a fee of over £20 million in mind, but Anelka demanded that he only be sold to Real Madrid. When Arsenal's talks with Lazio broke down Anelka said Lazio was his favourite move after all. Then the London club agreed a £22 million fee but the deal broke down over personal terms with Anelka refusing to cut his wages by £4 million to a mere £14 million over five years. Eventually Real got their man for £23 million. Since signing Anelka, Real have plummeted towards the bottom of Spain's Primera Liga and Anelka has justified his massive wages by: hinting at retirement; announcing his desire to go to Lazio after all; threatening to leave if he is sent out on loan; and sitting out with a supposed knee-injury even though tests reveal there is nothing wrong. Oh, and failing to score a single goal.
Patrick Vieira (Arsenal): Arsene Wenger's first signing for £4 million in 1996, Vieira quickly became known for his physical approach to the game. This season Vieira escaped punishment despite appearing to butt Manchester United's Roy Keane in August. Twelve days later he was sent off at West Ham for fouling Paulo di Canio. He was captured on television cameras spitting at Neil Ruddock and subsequently clashed with a police officer in the tunnel. Vieira was hit with a six-match ban and a £45,000 fine.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Leeds): After scoring 22 times for Leeds last season, Hasselbaink turned down a new contract reportedly worth £22,000 a week. Atletico Madrid had a £10 million rejected and Hasselbaink threatened to leave Elland Road if he was not sold. Leeds eventually agreed a £12 million fee with the Spaniards. Boss David O'Leary signed Sunderland youngster Michael Bridges, who took his side to the Premiership summit at Christmas. Hasselbaink, meanwhile, spearheaded Atletico's slump towards the Primera Liga's relegation zone.
Paulo Di Canio (Sheff Wed): Having signed for Wednesday for £4.5 million in August 1997, di Canio ended 1998 with an 11 match ban for pushing referee Paul Alcock. However, after completing his ban he refused to return to Hillsborough. He signed for West Ham for £2 million. In October Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger claimed di Canio dived to get Patrick Vieira sent off. The following week, di Canio was booked for diving at Middlesbrough after a challenge by Gary Pallister, but TV replays suggested a connection was made.
Emmanuel Petit (Arsenal): After being sent off against Everton - his fourth red card in 17 months since signing for Arsenal - Petit said he would quit English football at the end of the season because he was "bored with England". In June, Petit said players would soon be forced to take drugs to cope with the number of games they have to play. Following team-mate Vieira's ban and fine for spitting at Neil Ruddock, Petit blasted the Premiership's "stupid officials" for their "simple-minded, anti-French bias." He was alleged to have spat towards Wimbledon's John Hartson in their match at Highbury.
Benito Carbone (Sheff Wed): Carbone thrilled Sheffield Wednesday after his £3 million arrival from Inter Milan, but discontentment was always simmering. He rejected an improved contract offer believed to be in the region of £21,000 per week, then when named as substitute for Wednesday's opening match of the season, he refused and went home. By October, Carbone appeared to have buried the hatchet with Wednesday boss Danny Wilson. Two weeks later he joined Aston Villa until the end of the season.
