Louis Saha

Louis Saha
Saha with Everton in 2009
Personal information
Full name Louis Laurent Saha
Date of birth 8 August 1978 (1978-08-08) (age 32)
Place of birth Paris, France
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Playing position Forward
Club information
Current club Everton
Number 8
Youth career
000?–1995 Clairefontaine[1]
1996–1998 Metz
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
1998–2000 Metz 47 (5)
1999 → Newcastle United (loan) 11 (1)
2000–2004 Fulham 117 (53)
2004–2008 Manchester United 86 (28)
2008– Everton 59 (19)
National team‡
2004– France 18 (4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21:47, 25 August 2010 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 15:16, 1 July 2009 (UTC)

Louis Laurent Saha (born 8 August 1978 in Paris) is a French footballer who currently plays as a forward for Everton in the Premier League and the France national team.

A former scholar at the Clairefontaine football academy, he started his career at Metz before playing on loan at Newcastle United. Before the start of the 2000–01 season, Saha moved to Fulham where he established himself as first choice striker, helping them to gain promotion to the Premier League in his first season with them. His performances gained attraction from Manchester United, who eventually secured his signing for around £12.4 million midway through the 2003–04 season. Injuries plagued his Old Trafford career, however he did enjoy success with twice winning the Premier League, the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League and also scored six times en route to victory in the League Cup, including one goal in the final. After four and a half years at United, Everton took him to Goodison Park, where he opened the scoring in the 2009 FA Cup Final after 25 seconds, setting the record for the fastest goal scored in a FA Cup Final history.

Saha made his France debut in 2004 in a 2–0 victory over Belgium. He represented France at the 2004 European Football Championships and also the 2006 FIFA World Cup which they reached the final, however Saha was suspended for the final against Italy after receiving a yellow card against Portugal in the semi-final.

Contents

Club career

Metz

Louis Saha began his career with Metz in 1996, before going on loan to Newcastle United in 1999. At Newcastle Saha scored once against Coventry City[2] in 11 league games, also scoring once in Newcastle's run to the 1999 FA Cup Final with the only goal in the fifth round clash with Blackburn Rovers.[3] Saha was however left out of the cup final squad entirely by manager Ruud Gullit.[4] He returned to Metz where he netted 5 goals in 47 matches in a 2 year spell.

Fulham

Saha, just after signing for Fulham.

He was transferred to Fulham for £2.1 million in 2000. During a spell of nearly four years at the club, he scored 63 goals in total. In the promotion campaign of 2000–01 he scored 27 goals to fire Fulham into the Premier League.

During his first month in the top flight Saha was named Premier League Player of the Month. He scored nine goals in 44 appearances in all competitions, including scoring twice in games against Manchester United and Chelsea. He was less prolific in 2002–03, scoring seven goals. In his final season at Fulham he contributed fifteen goals in only 22 appearances before leaving in the winter transfer window.

Manchester United

Saha was transferred to Manchester United for a fee of £12.8 million in 2004 having scored 15 goals so far that season and impressing Alex Ferguson in Fulham's 3–1 win at Old Trafford. Fulham were reluctant to sell Saha[5] but he pushed for a deal and it eventually went through on 23 January 2004.[6]

Saha impressed early, with 7 goals in his 10 starting appearances of the 2003–04 season and scoring on his debut against Southampton.[7] In the next match, versus Everton, Saha and Ruud van Nistelrooy each scored two goals in a 4–3 win.[8] On 28 February, he faced his former team for the first time, scoring the only goal for United in a 1–1 draw.[9]

He then got an international call-up for French national team, scoring on his debut versus Belgium and made the Euro 2004 squad for the tournament in Portugal. Unfortunately, he was unable to play in the FA Cup final win over Millwall, being cup-tied due to an earlier appearance with Fulham.

The 2004–05 season was a stop-start season marred by constant injury. Saha never really got going making only 11 starting appearances, 11 from the bench and scoring two goals. In September, he picked up a knee injury playing for France against the Faroe Islands which cost him a month. Then in November he picked up the injury again, also playing for the national side and costing nearly two months out. At the end of February 2005, the problem recurred, again leaving Saha out for a further two months. Over the summer Saha suffered another hamstring strain which ruled him out for the first three months of the 2005–06 season

He finally returned in November 2005 and eased back into side as a sub, making appearances in League Cup matches. To the surprise of many, the French striker recaptured his initial good form and started banging in the goals. Six goals in the League Cup run saw him usurping Ruud van Nistelrooy as the first choice strike partner for Wayne Rooney. Saha was named a starter, over van Nistelrooy, in the final against Wigan Athletic, and scored a goal. Saha scored 15 goals during the 2005–06 season and was chosen by Ferguson to partner alongside Rooney for the next season, after van Nistelrooy's exit for Real Madrid during the summer transfer window.

Louis Saha playing for Manchester United

Saha began the 2006–07 season by scoring only seven minutes into the first game versus Fulham.[10] In December 2006, he signed an extension to his contract[11] lasting to 2010, though soon after began suffering from more injury problems. Groin and hamstring injuries restricted appearances and meant he only scored one goal in the 2nd half of the season. He returned as substitute at Roma but then soon picked up a knee injury. Saha ended the season with 15 goals in all competitions, aided by his pre-Christmas form.

In the 2007–08 season, Saha returned from injury and came as a substitute against Sunderland, scoring the winning goal.[12] On 23 September 2007, Saha won and converted a penalty against Chelsea in Chelsea's first game with Avram Grant in charge.[13] This earned Saha a recall to the French national team after a year out.

Against Arsenal, Saha came on to replace the under-performing Carlos Tévez in a 2–2 draw. He was key in setting up a goal as Cristiano Ronaldo gave United a 2–1 lead.[14] Saha continued to make appearances off the bench, but when Wayne Rooney was ruled out for a few weeks he partnered Tévez up front. He started on December 26, Boxing Day. Manchester United won the game 4–0 and Saha scored two goals including a penalty to lift Manchester United to 1st position in the Premiership.

Saha made his return in an FA Cup clash versus Arsenal on 16 February 2008. The following weekend, Saha came on as a substitute for Ronaldo, scoring the final goal in a 5–1 rout of Newcastle United.[15] After returning to nearly full fitness, Saha's injury haunts returned and forced him off with a hamstring complaint during United's win over Bolton at Old Trafford. Saha was ruled out for several weeks, missing key games. In the final game of the Premier League season against Wigan Athletic, Saha was named as a substitute, but played no part in the game. In May 2008, Saha admitted that he believed his United career was in doubt. Despite his desire to stay and love for the club, he was unsure of what the future held for him at Old Trafford.[16]

Despite struggling with injuries in parts of the 2004–05 and latter parts of the 2006–07 and 2007–08 seasons, Saha still contributed 42 goals in all competitions for Manchester United in 120 appearances for the club.

Everton

Saha joined Everton for an undisclosed fee,[17] signing a two-year 'pay-as-you-play' deal.[18] Not match-fit at his time of signing, Saha offered to train without being paid whilst injured.[18] He made his Everton debut on 22 September coming on as a substitute in a league game away to Hull City,[19] before scoring his first goal, against his former club Fulham, at Goodison Park on 1 November.[20] Saha came off the bench at half-time in that season's FA Cup quarter-final against Middlesbrough, scoring the winner and helping Everton reach the semi-finals for the first time since 1995.[21] In the FA Cup final, Saha scored the fastest goal in the final's history after 25 seconds, though opponents Chelsea came from behind to win 2–1.[22] This broke Bob Chatt's record which was set 114 years earlier in the 1895 Final.[23]. It was also the fastest goal in any match at the new Wembley Stadium, beating the previous record by Gianpaolo Pazzini in March 2007 in an U-21 international for Italy.

Saha scored his first goal of the 2009–10 season, after coming on as a substitute, on the opening day of the season against Arsenal in a 6–1 defeat at Goodison.[24] He went on to a run of seven goals in seven games in all competitions. He signed a two-year contract extension with Everton in February 2010, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2011–12 season.[25]

International career

Saha represented France at various youth levels and scored the winning goal in the 1997 European Under-19 Championships against Portugal.

It wasn't until 2004 that Saha finally earned his first full cap, marking his debut with a goal in a 2–0 victory over Belgium on February 18. That summer he was also selected for the Euro 2004 squad.

Saha contributed to France reaching the 2006 FIFA World Cup Final, but he was suspended for the final against Italy after receiving a yellow card during the semi-final victory over Portugal.

On February 25 Saha was named in a France squad for the first time since November 2006, by coach Raymond Domenech. He was forced to withdraw due to an injury.

International Goals

# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. February 18, 2004 King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium  Belgium
2 – 0
2 – 0
 Friendly match
2. May 28, 2004 Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier, France  Andorra
3 – 0
4 – 0
 Friendly match
3. September 2, 2006 Boris Paichadze Stadium, Tbilisi, Georgia  Georgia
1 – 0
3 – 0
 UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying
4. October 11, 2006 Stade Auguste Bonal, Montbéliard, France  Faroe Islands
1 – 0
5 – 0
 UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying

Career statistics

Club Season League Cup League Cup Europe Other[26] Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Metz 1997–98 21 1 2 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 26 1
1998–99 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 6 0
1999–2000 23 4 3 0 1 0 8 8 0 0 35 12
Total 47 5 5 0 1 0 14 8 0 0 67 13
Newcastle United (loan) 1999–2000 11 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 2
Fulham 2000–01 43 27 1 0 4 5 0 0 0 0 48 32
2001–02 36 8 6 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 44 9
2002–03 17 5 3 1 0 0 8 1 0 0 28 7
2003–04 21 13 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 22 15
Total 117 53 11 3 6 6 8 1 0 0 142 63
Manchester United 2003–04 12 7 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 14 7
2004–05 14 1 2 0 4 1 2 0 0 0 22 2
2005–06 19 7 4 2 5 6 2 0 0 0 30 15
2006–07 24 8 2 1 0 0 8 4 0 0 34 13
2007–08 17 5 2 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 24 5
Total 86 28 10 3 9 7 19 4 0 0 124 42
Everton 2008–09 24 6 3 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 29 8
2009–10 33 13 1 0 1 0 5 2 0 0 40 15
2010–11 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 3 1
Total 59 19 4 2 3 1 6 2 0 0 72 24
Career total 320 106 31 9 19 14 47 15 0 0 417 144

Statistics accurate as of match played 25 August 2010[27][28]

[29]

France national team
Year Apps Goals
2004 8 2
2005 0 0
2006 10 2
2010 1 0
Total 19 4

Honours

Fulham

Manchester United

References

  1. ↑ "INF, formateur de talents" (in French). FFF. http://www.fff.fr/presentationfff/actualite/418646.shtml. Retrieved 2009-07-21. 
  2. ↑ Donoghue, John (17 February 1999). "Shearer double strike". London: The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-shearer-double-strike-1071632.html. Retrieved 9 November 2009. 
  3. ↑ "Saha makes it simple for Ruud". BBC. 24 February 1999. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/fa_cup/285482.stm. Retrieved 9 November 2009. 
  4. ↑ "Injured Saha to miss FA Cup Final". Daily Mail. 16 May 2007. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-455200/Injured-Saha-miss-FA-Cup-Final.html. Retrieved 9 November 2009. 
  5. ↑ "Saha issues Fulham threat". BBC Sport. 15 January 2004. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/3391725.stm. Retrieved 17 May 2008. 
  6. ↑ "Man Utd seal Saha deal". BBC Sport. 23 January 2004. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/3412371.stm. Retrieved 17 May 2008. 
  7. ↑ "Man Utd 3–2 Southampton". BBC Sport. 31 January 2004. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3417887.stm. Retrieved 17 May 2008. 
  8. ↑ "Everton 3–4 Man Utd". BBC Sport. 7 February 2004. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3447465.stm. Retrieved 17 May 2008. 
  9. ↑ "Fulham 1–1 Man Utd". BBC Sport. 28 February 2004. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3507609.stm. Retrieved 27 May 2008. 
  10. ↑ Ben Hibbs (26 August 2006). "Report: United 5 Fulham 1". ManUtd.com. http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7BB4CEE8FA-9A47-47BC-B069-3F7A2F35DB70%7D&newsid=356364. Retrieved 17 May 2008. 
  11. ↑ "Saha signs new Man Utd contract". BBC Sport. 20 December 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/6196623.stm. Retrieved 17 May 2008. 
  12. ↑ "Man Utd 1–0 Sunderland". BBC Sport. 1 September 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/6963704.stm. Retrieved 17 May 2008. 
  13. ↑ "Man Utd 2–0 Chelsea". BBC Sport. 23 September 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/6996759.stm. Retrieved 17 May 2008. 
  14. ↑ "Arsenal 2–2 Man Utd". BBC Sport. 3 November 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7065152.stm. Retrieved 17 May 2008. 
  15. ↑ "Newcastle 1–5 Man Utd". BBC Sport. 23 February 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7248356.stm. Retrieved 17 May 2008. 
  16. ↑ Ian Ladyman (16 May 2008). "Saha nearing the end". Sky Sports. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3575912,00.html. Retrieved 17 May 2008. 
  17. ↑ "Players: Squad Profiles: Louis Saha". www.evertonfc.com. http://www.evertonfc.com/player-profile/louis-saha. Retrieved 1 December 2008. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Anderson, David (4 September 2008). "Louis Saha: I told Everton I would pay for free". The Daily Mirror. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/more-sport/2008/09/04/louis-saha-i-told-everton-i-would-pay-for-free-115875-20723341/. Retrieved 1 December 2008. 
  19. ↑ King, Dominic (22 September 2008). "David Moyes hails Louis Saha debut as Everton stage comeback". Liverpool Echo. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/everton-fc/everton-fc-news/2008/09/22/david-moyes-hails-louis-saha-debut-as-everton-stage-comeback-100252-21872100/. Retrieved 1 December 2008. 
  20. ↑ Allsop, Derek (1 November 2008). "Louis Saha opens account as Everton beat Fulham". London: The Daily Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/3331282/Louis-Saha-opens-account-as-Everton-beat-Fulham-Football.html. Retrieved 1 December 2008. 
  21. ↑ "Everton 2–1 Middlesbrough". BBC Sport. 8 March 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/7914684.stm. Retrieved 8 March 2009. 
  22. ↑ "Chelsea 2–1 Everton". BBC Sport. 30 May 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/8060989.stm. Retrieved 31 May 2009. 
  23. ↑ "FA Cup Trivia". www.thefa.com. http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/TheFACup/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2003/05/48711.htm. Retrieved 31 May 2009. 
  24. ↑ "Everton 1–6 Arsenal". BBC Sport. 15 August 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8199120.stm. Retrieved 15 August 2009. 
  25. ↑ "Striker Louis Saha signs new two-year deal with Everton". BBC Sport. 5 February 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/everton/8500605.stm. Retrieved 5 February 2010. 
  26. ↑ Includes other competitive competitions, including the FA Community Shield, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup, FIFA Club World Cup
  27. ↑ Endlar, Andrew. "Louis Saha". StretfordEnd.co.uk. http://www.stretfordend.co.uk/playermenu/saha.html. Retrieved 17 August 2009. 
  28. ↑ "Louis Saha Database". Footballdatabase.eu. http://www.footballdatabase.eu/football.joueurs.louis.saha.1118.en.html. Retrieved 25 August 2010. 
  29. ↑ http://www.national-football-teams.com/v2/player.php?id=2479

External links

Everton F.C. – current squad

1 Mucha · 2 Hibbert · 3 Baines · 5 Heitinga · 6 Jagielka · 7 Bilyaletdinov · 8 Saha · 10 Arteta · 12 Turner · 15 Distin · 16 Beckford · 17 Cahill · 18 Neville (c) · 19 Gueye · 20 Pienaar · 21 Osman · 22 Yakubu · 23 Coleman · 24 Howard · 25 Fellaini · 26 Rodwell · 28 Anichebe · 29 Silva · 30 Mustafi · 32 Barkley · 34 Duffy · 35 Agard · 37 Baxter · Manager: Moyes