Jaap Stam

Originally Posted by Dr Stranger

Hasn’t Fergie gone record as saying he made a mistake selling him?

Maybe, he mellowed a bit with old age though.

I was always of the belief that it was due to the widespread bans being handed out up the Dutch team at the time. The coaching staff had them all on nandrolone and what-have-you. Most affected players were facing two year bans. Fergie had a few gripes with Jaap over his book and the Saha incident, so decided to flog him to Lazio before the ban hammer came down.
I think the bans never happened, or were massively reduced or something, once the truth about the drugs being administered by the Dutch coaching team, came out. But by then it was too late. Heartbroken Lazio presser and scarf shot done. Goodbye, you titan of a centre half.

Originally Posted by Stickman

The Stam sale was an absolute sickener, all transpired on a Sunday morning did it not?

He had a torrid start to that season from memory being a fault for Owens goal in the charity shield and getting rinsed by Saha in the opening match of the season. Sure he had a couple more poorish games then that was him.

It hurt when we played Milan in 04-05 and he was absolutely brilliant

Anelka led him a dance a couple of times,too. Media played it up a bit, as it was their beloved arse but it happened a few times. Still, sad that we sold him and probably a mistake. Bruce was a great reader and leader but was slow. Vidic had a few moments and Rio could be found wanting with the physical stuff. Maybe Ferie didn’t like his personality given his book revelations and thought he was getting a bit too big for his own good , plus as mentioned, maybe a bit of balancing the books.

Not sure if Pique had anything to do with it or different time. Can’t remember.

Originally Posted by Denis Irwell

Anelka led him a dance a couple of times,too. Media played it up a bit, as it was their beloved arse but it happened a few times. Still, sad that we sold him and probably a mistake. Bruce was a great reader and leader but was slow. Vidic had a few moments and Rio could be found wanting with the physical stuff. Maybe Ferie didn’t like his personality given his book revelations and thought he was getting a bit too big for his own good , plus as mentioned, maybe a bit of balancing the books.

Not sure if Pique had anything to do with it or different time. Can’t remember.

Pique was a good bit later.

He was ridiculously quick for a CB tbf, but he could be a bit slow on the turn and Anelka and Saha definitely savaged him. A bit unfair tbh, most CB’s aren’t as agile as the quickest strikers.

Originally Posted by Bunker Buster

Thought fergie got wind he was on the juice ?

That was the rumour iirc.

The injury was a smokescreen for it… apparently.

Originally Posted by Dr Stranger

Hasn’t Fergie gone record as saying he made a mistake selling him?

Yep

Tbf, if he’d got done for doping while at United he’d still be banned now

Not buy any of this shite. It was clearly the nandrolone thing and Stam's claim Fergie tapped him up imo...

https://youtu.be/1vRUzB0uJmk

He managed FC Cincinnati, a few hours north from me, 2020/21. He was gone before I knew. Would have gone along and given him a chant if I'd been aware.

would love him stood on our bench with the coaching staff tbh

You need a good mob for when the opposition bench acts up.

Originally Posted by Dr Stranger

They were excellent in that Forest game.

Trippers making things up again.

Did Lazio ever pay up?

For his kitchen? Nope. Huge falling out. Jaap sold it to Paolo Negro believing Lazio would compensate him, they didn't so he demanded to move to AC Milan.

True story. Milan bought the kitchen and tried to sell it to Real Madrid but they were both worlds apart in their valuation. Its currently boxed up under the stairs in the San Siro.