World Cup 2010: didn't he used to be rubbish?
Harry Pearson reappraises the career of a flop in English football who is doing surprisingly well at the World Cup
Didn't he used to be rubbish: Michael Ballack of Germany
Harry Pearson: Michael Ballack's non-appearance during the World Cup has been crucial to Germany's success
Didn't he used to be rubbish? Khalid Boulahrouz of Holland
Harry PearsonHarry Pearson: The best thing you can say about the Cannibal's Chelsea career is that he fared slightly better than his compatriot Winston Bogarde
Didn't he used to be rubbish? Diego Forlán of Uruguay
Harry Pearson: Uruguay's attacking fulcrum Diego Forlán may have two golden boots but his Manchester United career was a disaster
Didn't he used to be rubbish? Stephen Appiah of Ghana
Harry PearsonHarry Pearson: Stephen Appiah wasn't fit enough for Spurs but has spent more minutes on the pitch at this World Cup than Ledley King
Didn't he used to be rubbish? Xabi Alonso of Spain
Harry PearsonHarry Pearson: Spain may beg to differ but Rafa Benítez obviously believed his holding midfielder was not quite up to Gareth Barry standards
Didn't he used to be rubbish? Júlio Baptista of Brazil
Harry Pearson: The 'Beast' who went on occasional rampages for Arsenal brings his muscular approach to Brazil's front line
Didn't he used to be rubbish? Alvaro Arbeloa of Spain
Harry PearsonHarry Pearson: Alvaro Arbeloa seems to have recovered from his languid Liverpool days
Didn't he used to be rubbish? Bostjan Cesar of Slovenia
Harry Pearson: The Slovenian may have been roasted by Daniel Nardiello at Oakwell in 2008 but is flying high with Chievo now
World Cup 2010: Didn't he used to be rubbish? Quincy Owusu-Abeyie
Ghana's speedy striker has made several attempts to make it in England but has been spurned every time
World Cup 2010: Didn't he used to be rubbish? Oguchi Onyewu of the USA
Harry Pearson: The titanic defender formed a Chuckle Brothers partnership at Newcastle with Titus Bramble but kept England at bay last week
World Cup 2010: Didn't he used to be rubbish? Juan Sebastián Verón of Argentina
Harry PearsonDidn't he used to be rubbish? Oscar García of Honduras
Didn't he used to be rubbish? Chris Killen of New Zealand
Harry Pearson: Kiwi Killen's performances had Boro fans pining for Mikkel Beck – but now he will play on the biggest stage of all
Didn't he used to be rubbish? Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi of Japan
Harry Pearson: Harry Redknapp proclaimed him a Japanese 'David Beckham figure', but the goalkeeper couldn't keep out Grimsby
Didn't he used to be rubbish? Lee Dong-gook of South Korea
Harry Pearson: Middlesbrough fans hoped they had found a new Fatty Foggon but got a lightweight, injury-prone pale imitation
Didn't he use to be rubbish? Alou Diarra of France
Harry PearsonHarry Pearson: One of many 'new Patrick Vieiras', Alou Diarra was ignored at Bayern and Liverpool for years but is now interesting Barcelona
