Today we look at not one, not two but three (count 'em) sub goalie's who've made their way in the world without making their way off the bench.
Good old Double C is probably one of the best keepers in Europe. I say probably because the old mucker hardly gets a look in since the arrival of Petr Cech in 2004. In fact Carlo's made a mere 54 appearances in the four seasons since, his first team aspirations kept firmly in check by the Czech Cech.
Despite this lack of playing time the Italian has shown little inclination to move elsewhere, a stance that has drawn criticism from some corners, although surely he deserves some credit for his loyalty.
Of course there may be another reason why he'd want to stay at one of the world's richest clubs. Notably a salary of allegedly £1.6 million a year. That amounts to £6.4 million over the past four seasons. Divide by the number of games he's played (6400000/54) means he earns approximately £118518.51 per appearance. Not bad work if you can get it. If you assume that each appearance lasted 90 minutes (they didn't all I know, for example he got sent off against Newcastle in the FA Cup back in 2005. And of course he got injured against Reading back in 2006. But let's play along anyway!) that would mean he earns around £1316.87 for every minute he plays. Bargain!
Pegguy Arphexad
Guadaloupian goal guardian Pegguy Arphexad may well be the most efficient footballer in history, winning 7 medals over 6 years whilst only making a total of 23 appearances!
The Caribbean custodian spent the early years of his career attempting to break into the starting line-ups of Lille and Lens. After little success en Francais an offer to cross the channel and join Leicester City seemed too good to pass up.
Three years, 21 appearances and a League Cup Medal later he left for the greener pastures (not literally) of Liverpool. There he was even more successful, winning two league cups, an FA cup, the UEFA Cup, the European Super Cup and the Charity Shield, all whilst only playing for the first team twice! That means his English career average was a medal every 3.2 games played. Imagine if he'd played a full season, the FA would've had to start making up new competitions for him to win!
It is worth noting that whenever called on Arphexad showed himself more than capable of tending goal at the highest level. Sadly he was never given an extended first team run and retired in 2005 after spells at Stockport County, Coventry City, Notts County and finally Olympique de Marseille.
Still he's won more trophies than Alan Shearer and George Best combined so it's not all bad.
There have been few more enthusiastic exponents of the occasional appearance than Milan's former third choice keeper Valerio Fiori; the Roman could almost have been registered as a missing person with only three appearances in a nine year stint with the Rossoneri. The former Lazio No.1 certainly made good use of his free time; completing a law degree in 2007 before retiring at the end of the 07/08 season.
I guess he really did love "sitting on the bench"!
Because, you know, Judge's sit "on the bench"...
And so do football substitutes.
Get it?
