Peter Crouch: Goal-scoring legend. Discuss

Peter Crouch began his football career as a little tyke. He was quickly recognized for his extreme wing span and ability to outstrip the other under 6s on his team. His goal take for that inaugural season was approximately 5 in 23 games. However, his manager said:

"Maybe (Crouch) is not the most elegant football player in the world but he is very, very special. I would like Peter Crouch to score a lot of goals, of course... but it doesn't take away the fact he is very special."

This suggests that even though he had yet to demonstrate his legendary goal scoring, he was clearly special. Or perhaps the coach really meant to say outstanding.

After his time with QPR (10 goals in the season, relegation to 2nd division), he was traded to Portsmouth for 1.5 million, suggesting that he was indeed very special. At Portsmouth, although he didn't score the vast number of goals necessary to qualify him as a goal-scoring legend (18/37 appearances), he was recognised for being tall, incredibly ugly, and therefore remarkable.

"I can see why people don't like him. He isn't very pleasing on the eye and isn't silky."

From Portsmouth, although he was able to secure a position at Aston Villa and scored one on his home debut, he didn't score enough to play in the first team. However, he was lent to Norwich City and managed to score 4/15. He was, though, considered to be highly impressive.



It was around this time that Peter received his first England call up - to the U21 team, where clearly his height was an advantage: he was able to persuade Sven to put him in the first team.




Although he was a handy player, he scored only 6 times in 37 games and was traded by Villa in 2004 for 2 million. At Southampton he flourished, scoring 16 goals in 24 appearances. Clearly his best season ever. On this strength he was called to the senior team for England and sold to Liverpool for 7 million.

He is Liverpool's tallest player EVER





It is widely acknowledged that Crouch has struggled at Liverpool, despite his height.

"I am surprised Crouch has struggled at Liverpool because he is a good player. He is very tall and a good header of the ball, whereas many tall players cannot head the ball very well."

In sum, the evidence I have reviewed suggests that Crouch is tall. However, apart from one season with Southampton (another team relegated at the end of his season with them), it appears that Crouch may not be a goal-scoring legend. Unless his team is threatened with relegation. It is certainly clear that he has not been a goal-scoring legend at Liverpool, remaining goalless for his first 19 games. He may not only be Liverpool's tallest ever player, but also their least goal-scoringest. I'm sure that with some support from his teammates he'll go on to score many more this season, rendering the answer to this question obvious, perhaps.

To wit:

I really want him to score, I know this position is hard. I have had similar runs, maybe not 15, not that long, but eight or nine when I was with Auxerre." Liverpool team-mate Djibril Cisse.

"...the boys love him and he is a fantastic signing. He's brilliant around the changing room and is a great lad..." Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.