 Cantona's moment of madness at Selhurst Park |
When is a talented striker, but one who can cause trouble, worth the risk?
Thursday was the 10th anniversary of Eric Cantona's ban for his kung-fu style kick on a Crystal Palace fan.
That was the latest in a long list of incidents that plagued the Gallic genius who had fled French football for England after receiving a ban while playing for Marseille.
But it is impossible to argue with the fact the Frenchman was an inspirational signing for Manchester United, and integral to their dominance of English football for much of the 1990s.
Fast forward 10 years, and there are strikers again making the headlines for the wrong reasons, albeit less violently than Cantona.
Newcastle striker Craig Bellamy has had a very public bust-up with boss Graeme Souness and the Welsh international has now joined Celtic on loan for the rest of the season.
Arsenal's exciting youngster Jermaine Pennant is another facing testing times - having a drink-driving charge to answer.
The Magpies, and perhaps Arsenal too, may already decided they are more trouble than they are worth.
But both players are undoubtedly fine talents, and there were plenty of suitors who were prepared to gamble on them.
In Bellamy's case, Manchester City, Blackburn, Aston Villa and his former club Norwich were linked with him, and Championship side Stoke reportedly made a cheeky loan deal enquiry.
Meanwhile, Pennant's high-profile career began with his �2m move from Notts County to Highbury, making him the country's most expensive teenager.
But with first-team opportunities limited at Arsenal, there have been times when his attitude has been questioned, and he was sent home for breaking a curfew while on England Under-20 duty.
Loan spells at Watford and Leeds looked to have given him renewed focus him but a drink-driving charge has come as a setback.
However, all may not be lost as chairman David Gold has backed Steve Bruce to rescue Pennant's career.
Gold said: "If there is one manager in the Premiership who has the skills to get the best out of Jermaine, then that is Steve Bruce.
"Jermaine is not a violent, horrible person, but one who is young and has made some mistakes.
"From what I've been told, he is a nice lad who has been a bit of a loose cannon and if anyone is going to save him, I would not ask for a better man than Steve."
Tottenham have also taken a risk by bringing in Mido, a young striker who is currently banished from Egypt's international set-up after persistently failing to turn up for duty.
Spurs will be his sixth club in as many years, and yet when he was at Ajax, he scored at a rate of one goal every other game and was voted the Dutch league's young player of the year.
However, after being substituted on one occasion, he told the club he was leaving in a television interview.
Coach Ronald Koeman refused to pick him again and loaned him to Celta Vigo before selling him to Marseille, where his performances alongside Didier Drogba led to a �4.5m switch to Roma.
Only time will tell if he repays the faith shown in him by Martin Jol.
Gambles can pay off in spectacular style - as Sir Alex Ferguson will testify with Cantona, even if there were more than a few hiccups along the way.
But as Man City's experience with Anelka proves, clubs can also eventually lose patience with strikers who repeatedly fail to fall in line, however talented they are.
MMIX
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Jermaine is not a violent, horrible person, but one who is young and has made some mistakes
