Lee Bowyer, 57 goals
Despite a troublesome start to his career, Bowyer got over his early woes which included a ban for cannabis use, to star for Charlton before earning a £2.8 million move to Leeds which was a record for a British teenager at the time.
Bowyer helped Leeds qualify for the Champions League and reach the semi-finals but trouble was never far away. An incident in a nightclub in January 2000 saw Bowyer charged with affray. Leeds hit him with a big fine which Bowyer took exception to, a £9 million move to Liverpool was arranged but Gerard Houllier pulled the plug, stating that Bowyer didn’t demonstrate the required desire to play for the club.
Eventually, Bowyer signed for West Ham United but his best days were behind him.
Newcastle United took a chance on Bowyer but his time at Newcastle is best known for his on-field brawl with Kieran Dyer. Close to 500 career games mostly in the top flight isn’t bad for a player with a questionable temperament. Lee ended his career with 57 Premier League goals, not bad at all.
