David Ginola started his Premier League journey in the north of England at Newcastle United, where he played an important role in the squad that finished second to Manchester United in 1996.
He then moved from Newcastle in 1997 to join north-west London side Tottenham for £2.5million.
The Frenchmen went on to become the PFA’s Players’ Player of the Year in 1999 whilst at Tottenham and the FWA Footballer of the Year at the same time.
To put into perspective how good Ginola was in that season, he won these accolades ahead of players in the Man United treble-winning team like David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and the list goes on.
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He made 100 appearances for Spurs and won a League Cup.
A goal fondly remembered by fans was against Barnsley in sixth round of the FA cup
When Ginola played Gary Neville at White Hart Lane in 1998, he had been toying with the Man United team.
Eventually, the two had there last duel on the left-hand side where Ginola ran with the ball around the right-back. Neville couldn’t take it anymore!
Ginola picked up a goal and assist in the quarter-final of the League Cup and Spurs won the game 3-1.
David was a key part of that win against United and made it the only cup which Sir Alex Ferguson's men missed out on in the treble-winning season.
It’s evident that Neville had respect for the silky winger.
Neville said: “Ginola – at Tottenham and Newcastle – scored a great goal for Newcastle past me, got me sent off at White Hart Lane, just his physical stature and the fact he could go both ways.”
Neville had been on a video with Ginola for Sky Sports and asked if he sees himself more as a Newcastle player or Tottenham player.
He replied: "I am a football player. When I signed for Newcastle, I gave my best to Newcastle United".
"When I arrived at Spurs, people were always saying that I was a luxury and I always wanted to prove them wrong saying, 'well I am not a luxury for any club'.”
Is Ginola an underrated gem in the Premier League?
Topics: Gary Neville, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Aaron Feld