There was a wide range of players I could have picked this week. From Andranik, Claus Jensen, Andy Lonergan, Sean Davis, Dan's favourite Tim Ream or even Martin Djetou.
I decided to go for everyone's favourite Zatyiah, Zat Knight.
Knight, born 2nd May 1980, began his career with non-league side Rushall Olympic, before signing for Fulham in 1999 for the cost of 30 tracksuits. Knight would spend his debut season on loan at Peterborough United, where he played 8 games. Knight would eventually make his Fulham debut in the League Cup in 2000, starting as Fulham beat Northampton Town 4-1, with goals from fellow former Wanderers Sean Davis and Fabrice Fernandes.
Zat Knight became a first choice player for Fulham in the 2003/2004 season, featuring 31 times in the Premier League as the Cottagers finished 9th. Knight would score his first Fulham goal in 2005 against Watford FC in the FA Cup.
Knight's form for Fulham in 2005 was enough to convince Sven-Goran Eriksson to call him up for the England team. Knight made his England debut from the subs bench, playing 45 minutes as England beat the USA 2-1.
The England team that day was:
David James, Glen Johnson, Ashley Cole, Wes Brown, Sol Campbell (Knight 45), Joe Cole (Defoe 63), Michael Carrick, Jermaine Jenas, Kieran Richardson (Phil Neville 59), Andrew Johnson (Luke Young 76), Alan Smith.
SIDENOTE: Honestly, in a team that didn't feature Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard or even David Beckham, how the hell did Kevin Nolan not get an England call up?
Knight would make one more appearance for England, starting in a 3-2 win over Colombia in 2005.
Zat Knight's last goal for Fulham came in the 2006/2007 against Bolton Wanderers in a 2-1 defeat at the Reebok Stadium. In the same season, Knight was out injured for nearly two months with a broken jaw. Strangely, Knight stated he thought it must have happened while he was 'fooling around' with his brother.
Then Fulham manager (now Wales') Chris Coleman said on the injury:
"When he told me he broke his jaw through horseplay with his brother I did ask him if that was what really happened, but I can only go on what Zat said and I have heard nothing else to believe anything else happened."
In 2007, after eight years with Fulham, Knight moved to boyhood team Aston Villa, for a fee of £3.5 million. In the early hours of the day of his transfer (29th August), Knight and his brother, Carlos, were arrested in a drugs raid on the family home. Knight was released on police bail while Carlos was remanded in custody. Police said that a quantity of drugs were seized at the home.
Knight would go on to score on his Villa debut, coming in a 2-0 win over Chelsea. After two years at Villa Park, where Knight played for Villa in the UEFA Cup, Zat Knight moved to Bolton Wanderers for a fee of £4 million (yep, 4 million). In total for Aston Villa, Zat Knight played 58 games, scoring 2 goals.
Zat Knight scored his first goal for Bolton in a 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2010. Knight scored his second the season after in a 2-2 draw with Manchester United. During his time at Bolton, Knight formed a somewhat 'formidable' partnership with Gary Cahill. (Cahill kinda made Knight look good)
This partnership was a key part in helping Bolton reach the semi-final of the FA Cup in 2011, where they played Stoke City at Wembley. The match ended in a 5-0 defeat for Bolton.
In 2012, Bolton were relegated to the Championship, and Zat Knight's contract expired. However, much to the delight of all Bolton fans, Knight signed a new two year deal. In the 2012/2013 season, thanks to a rise in form, and a partnership with Craig Dawson, Bolton rose from 21st to 6th, only to be pipped to the final Play-Off spot by Leicester City on the final day of the season. Throughout this season, Zat Knight was also the stand in captain whenever Kevin Davies didn't play.
After the departure of Kevin Davies, Zat Knight was named as his successor as captain.
In his final season with Bolton, Knight played 35 games, scoring 2 goals. One coming against Yeovil Town, when Knight finally put his height to good use to score a backwards header, ensuring Bolton left Somerset with a point. The other goal came in a 5-1 romp for the Whites against Leeds United at Elland Road.
In total for Bolton, Zat Knight played 191 times, scoring 4 goals.
After leaving the Reebok, Knight ventured to the MLS, signing for the Colorado Rapids in October 2014. Knight played in the remaining 4 games of the season, although Knight left after his contract was terminated by mutual consent.
Knight then returned to England, having a trial with Watford, before eventually signing for Reading FC in March 2015. Knight played twice for the Royals before being released at the end of last season.
At the age of 35, Zat Knight retired from football.