When Emile Heskey left Liverpool in the summer of 2004 it was a move to both his and the club’s benefit. But a player who had it all simply lost his way at Anfield.
Even at a club record £11 million fee his purchase by Gerard Houllier didn’t seem a bad piece of business at all.
The Reds who had invested a comparatively modest amount for a player at the peak of his powers when other transfer fees were spiralling and the domestic record set four years earlier in 1996 was some 36% higher. Rumours which proved well founded suggested defenders were set to change hands for almost £20 million at the time.
Heskey had pace, power and stamina. Not to mention immense strength which gave him an ability to hold the ball. Allied to this was an intelligence to draw defenders out which meant he was able to dovetail perfectly with two the deadliest strikers in domestic football - Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler.
He could be criticised for not finding the net often enough but most of his goals no matter how short in supply were top class finishes. It was hoped that his prowess could be harnessed better at a club like Liverpool and for one season at least it was.
Emile made an outstanding contribution to the treble cup win in 2000-01 then the next campaign when the Reds finished Premiership runners-up. A tantalising - or so it seemed then - seven points adrift of champions Arsenal.
The type of player Didier Drogba is held to be is precisely what Heskey could have been viewed as.
To some extent he would be, though there are unfortunate comparisons about their respective ability to stay on two feet when challenged - but for very different reasons.
Unfortunately allied to those doubts about his own abilities there were disappointments with the physical side of Heskey’s game. For such a huge man who had in the past proved he had abundant strength he was often pushed off the ball and found earth with great regularity at the merest touch.
After that it could often take him time to make a recovery. He made 176 starts for the club and was substituted exactly 50 times. A statistic which often told its own story.
With that to battle against the goals which he plundered with sufficient if not immense regularly for most of his career dried up. One barren stretch lasted 18 games which was too long for any forward player, regardless of his role, not to find the score sheet.
A skilled player when everything was going for him suddenly lost his touch ands within a couple of seasons his confidence - such an important factor to most players’ games but crucial to Emile - had plummeted. So had his value. His initial cost had more or less halved over four seasons as was his stock within the game.
Now not only is Emile Heskey back and established in the England squad. Despite notions to the contrary he is set to be a prime candidate for a berth in the party to leave for South Africa in the summer. Though worries held by Michael Owen and David Beckham who are each lacking regular top class games are beginning to affect him.
Aston Villa and Liverpool were the most realistic destinations when it became clear he would run his contract with Wigan down almost a year ago. Rather than allow him to walk away as a free agent the Latics sought to recoup most of their initial investment. And did so.
Liverpool would not have paid the £4.5 million it took to establish a link up with former Leicester manager Martin O‘Neill.
Heskey thrived under the former Northern Ireland international during his time at Filbert Street where he acted as a selfless target man and revitalised the career of Tony Cottee. The Foxes without a final since 1969 won the League Cup twice in a few seasons.
Initially O’Neill’s use of a 4-5-1 formation suited Heskey for much of the final months of the last season even if the Midland side were not able to hold off Arsenal for a Champions League spot and eventually hauled in by Everton to finish sixth.
No doubt experience and reflecting on what he may have achieved but for a little more confidence had he remained on Merseyside have helped the player work out those problems which saw him struggle and finally become recognised as a player of genuine quality.
Anyone who spoke to Emile during his time with Liverpool was rarely left in any doubt about his passion for the club - he really did seem to have been a boyhood fan - and desire to pick up not just silverware but the biggest prizes the game has to offer.
The most satisfying thing for Heskey must be that although he has finally managed to get many of those missing dimensions in to his game he is still a player prepared to graft not only for his own benefit but that of those around him.
However, Gabriel Agbonlahor and John Carew have been preferred options so far this term and in the former’s case there is no argument to make given his performances and goal scoring.
Though one start all season does not necessarily mean minutes on the pitch will be at a premium.
Heskey never worked under Rafa Benitez who it is said would have retained his services if
amongst the pool of players inherited from his predecessor.
That may be true but how long that association would have lasted is another matter. At that stage the then 26 year old needed an arm around his shoulder and reassurance about his contribution to the club plus the security of his first team place.
Rafa would not have been that comforting figure and rotation would have been unbearable half a decade ago but by leaving Anfield he may just have had a future in L4 - had he returned last year.
Denial of the quotes attributed to him now he is back from national service have been issued but transcripts of his turn on the press conference rota clearly show he admitted he had worries about adding to the number of caps won and it was therefore a situation he would have to address in the New Year.
There may have been no clear statement that he would leave or issue a transfer request but it fuelled more speculation and created stories about a possible destination. Once more Liverpool came into the reckoning - so too a return too Wigan. Or possibly Birmingham now there is a £40 million "war chest" at Alex McLeish's disposal.
Now 31 and with not just experience but having displayed he can ride the blows life throws at him Emile Heskey has probably shown he has the mental toughness to play for a club challenging for the major honours though for all he could contribute a second spell at Anfield remains a distant possibility.
Possibly inadvisable even if Heskey could fit well into the template and bring more from a marauding Steven Gerrard, a swarming Alberto Aquilani -when fit - and a vibrant Fernando Torres amongst others.
Liverpool are struggling to make a full transition from a side that has been understandably cautious at times into one that unleashes a high tempo pressing style from each angle due to new personnel and it is causing some teething problems.
Heskey has made Rooney prolific on the international stage and for that reason alone would probably be considered a safe bet to remain in Fabio Cappello’s plans despite less starts than he would prefer at club level.
The England coach has continued to select him for games that count and not only has he benefited Rooney. Gerrard and Frank Lampard have - also with Beckham’s almost wholesale exclusion - found a way to not only play in the same side but exert their respective influences.
Peter Crouch's recent double against Belarus is unlikely to change Capello's game plan and the coach has proved he makes no selection based on sentiment though unlike Rafa Benitez is lauded for the approach.
In any case there remains every chance that more starts will come at Villa Park and the comments made simply filled a vacuum a lack of club football has left.
Liverpool would also be best advised to place the money his signing would cost to one side - presuming it is there in any case - and use it for more urgent needs.
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