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If you haven't already, please have a butcher's at our latest 'The Mighty Delta' fanzine, it's free to view here and you can sign up to our mailing list for future editions.
In each issue, Playmaker asks a seasoned pro to pick a ‘7-a-side’ team consisting of the best players they have ever lined up alongside.
For Delta Five, we beamed the spotlight over to Greece where West Brom academy graduate Adil Nabi is starring for OFI Crete. During his fascinating career, Adil has played with some stellar names - and two of the best free-kick specialists in history!
Away we go...
That left foot! You've seen it on YouTube, you've seen it watching Liverpool on TV in the Premier League and it obviously looked like an absolute hammer. But until you see it everyday in training, up close and personal, you don't understand how important it is not to stand in the way! It was an absolute rocket.
It was between me, him and Florent Malouda for free-kicks at Delhi (Dynamos), but when I saw Riise leather one, I was like 'No problem, you can have them'. He didn't score any when I was there, but he hurt some people and lost quite a few balls!
No question. Because of what he achieved in the game I wouldn't have minded if he was arrogant, but he was an absolute gentleman. When he joined in training, he was class and you'd think 'just imagine what you were like at your peak'; he must have been frightening.
He was still quick and obviously strong - his legs and calves are absolutely massive. He still had a ridiculous strike; his body had grown older, but it was like his left leg hadn't! To see him in training was an honour and a privilege.
I grew up with Romaine and he's an absolute baller. To see him go back to West Brom and play in the Premier League made me and those who have grown up with him massively proud.
Romaine's vision and technique stand out - he sees things that lots of other players don't. If he was to play abroad he would be absolutely raved about. He's a top drawer footballer, but also one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. As youngsters at West Brom, we'd play up front together or as creative midfielders in a three. It was a dream: Total Football!
💪 'The Mighty Delta' Issue 5⃣ is out!
— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) September 3, 2021
💥 'Mighty Interview' with @RomaineSawyers
🧤 Masterclass feature courtesy of @macgillivray93
🆚 'Kit Clash' feat. @UnitedStandMUFC & @City_Xtra
➕ heaps more!
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🗞 https://t.co/GJSRhtkUF8 pic.twitter.com/yxqURtPnpv
This is a tough one, and it's between Saido Berahino and Peter Odemwingie. We'll go with Odemwingie, as he was an absolute legend and a top guy. He was an unbelievable finisher and ridiculously good for West Brom as a number nine. He was strong, fast and could finish any type of chance.
Both Saido, who I played with growing up, and Peter only needed that one chance in a game - when they got it, 9 out of 10 times they'd score.
The captains I've played with have been the kind who lead by example. Growing up as a professional, Chris Brunt was a huge influence and it really helped watching how he conducted himself on and off the pitch. I'll go for Darren Fletcher though.
From the moment he first walked into the changing room, he was just class. You could tell he'd won Premier Leagues and he was fantastic at knowing what to say and when to say it. He was constructive and gave me a lot of confidence.
In India, I played with Toni Doblas, who had previously played for Real Betis in La Liga. He wasn't the tallest of goalkeepers, but he was super quick and had amazing reflexes.
He was the kind of keeper who could fly from one side of the goal to the other and claw one out of the top corner. From my experience, in games and in training for Delhi, he was a top, top keeper. I'd still toast him in training, but he was an absolute cat!
Coming through the academy ranks, there was a left-sided player called Brad Garmston, who was absolutely rapid. He was track and field rapid; the kind of player who'd clock 10 point something in the 100 metres. I'll go with Anelka, though, just because of his turn of pace over 5-10 yards.
When he was at West Brom, he wouldn't blow you away over a long distance, but he was so sharp. He'd literally destroy defenders with a burst of pace.
When I was at Dundee, he was top drawer. As a former Rangers player, he'd been there and done that and was someone you'd really listen to.
He had that player's perspective and understood my game. He got the best out of me and I really enjoyed my football under him.
I normally try to forget about the players who've given me problems, but I'll go for Olympiacos' Mady Camara.
He's been a really tough opponent, although every time I play against him I seem to score! We've had some really good battles and, athletically and technically, he's very good.
💪 ZINE | Back in August, we fanned the 🔥🔥 of Manchester's crosstown rivalry by asking City Xtra writer @harrywinters16 and Jamie Ward @UnitedStandMUFC to critique their rival's kits...
— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) September 22, 2021
Check out 'The Mighty Delta', including their 'Kit Clash' here👇https://t.co/kZgdcvX3Z3 pic.twitter.com/pzJRQpIZwp
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NameAdil Nabi Born/Age1994-02-28(30 -yrs-old) Nationality England  Pakistan PositionMidfielder (Attacking Midfielder) | |
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