World Football's 25 Best Teams That Were Over-Reliant on One Player

It's a little harsh to call somebody a one-man team. It basically suggests that no other player has contributed anything to the cause—which we all know isn't true.

Perhaps over-reliance would be a better turn of phrase.

Fans are often in denial about their team being over-reliant on a player; they just can't see past the points on the scoreboard.

Here are 25 teams that have been over-reliant on one player.

Southampton

Matt Le Tissier was the lynchpin of Southampton Football Club for many a year.

In the 1998-99 season, Southampton avoided relegation from the Premier League on the last day of the season, a feat largely credited to the performances of Le Tissier.

Le Tissier was the first midfielder to score 100 goals in the Premier League.

Flair.

Liverpool

Much like Le Tissier, Steven Gerrard has endured a career at a club where he was by far the best player on the pitch.

His all-action style has lead to numerous accolades over the years, and his goal in the Champions League final in 2005 sparked Liverpool's historic fight back against AC Milan.

Also, his goal against West Ham in the 2006 FA Cup final forced extra time and penalties, which Liverpool went on to win.

Oh, and he scored against Olympiacos in the Champions League group stages in the 90th minute to ensure Liverpool even made the final in 2005.

Need I go on?

Legend.

Arsenal

Arsenal in 2011-12 have unfortunately been a one-man team in my eyes.

Robin van Persie has been so important to their cause, having notched an unbelievable 27 goals in 34 Premier League appearances thus far.

Theo Walcott's eight strikes don't even compare.

Prolific.

Manchester United

The 2009-10 season saw Manchester United heavily lean on Wayne Rooney to get them through the season.

Rooney plundered 26 goals—his best ever tally in the Premier League—as media speculation dictated that United would be struggling without him.

Shrek.

Real Madrid

I'm sure this will cause some consternation among readers, but ask yourself where Real Madrid would be without Cristiano Ronaldo this season.

Madrid have a Real chance—see what I did there—of winning La Liga this season, and it wouldn't have been possible without CR7.

Quick feet.

Manchester United

Cristiano Ronaldo was also the catalyst for Manchester United's title success in the 2007-08 season.

The Portuguese winger notched 31 Premier League goals and 42 goals in all competitions while taking home the European Golden Shoe.

Shiny.

Manchester City

I'm bending the rules a little for this particular slide, as I feel Manchester City have been a two-man side in 2011-12.

It's no coincidence that Manchester City's drop in form occurred when David Silva started to decline in performance.

Silva declined due to Yaya Toure being absent for a month while on African Cup of Nations duty.

Those two have been paramount to City's league position.

Duet.

Argentina

Argentina in 1986 were famous for winning the Word Cup.

It was also the year a certain hand of god occurred, courtesy of one Diego Maradona.

If ever there was a one-man team, Maradona was it.

Genius.

France

Okay, it may be a little harsh to suggest the French World Cup-winning team of 1998 was a one-man side, but attacking-wise there is no doubt it was.

Zinedine Zidane was at the peak of his profession, scoring, assisting and showboating for fun.

Just sheer class oozed out of his every touch.

Splendide.

Athletic Bilbao

Athletic Bilbao had a golden player in the 1950-51 season, and his name was Telmo Zarra.

Zarra notched 38 goals in 30 La Liga matches, a record that still stands today despite the presence of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Bilbao didn't win anything that season, but they knew who they were grateful too for scoring their goals.

Record holder.

Fulham

Fulham are nothing special as a football team in this 2011-12 season, but they'd be even less than that without Clint Dempsey.

When he scores, Fulham seem to win. When he doesn't show up, they seem to lose.

If Fulham ever lost him, the London club would struggle to find a replacement.

Texan.

FC Cologne

FC Cologne signed Lukas Podolski back from Bayern Munich because he wasn't getting things done on the pitch.

Now back at his childhood club, things are very much different.

FC Cologne 2011-12 have managed to turn Podolski into a goal machine who has knocked in 17 goals in 25 starts.

Home.

Lille

Another modern-day club who rely too heavily on one man are OSC Lille.

Eden Hazard has become Europe's biggest transfer target thanks to his mesmeric performances in the Ligue Une.

Cameroon

Cameroon had their best-ever World Cup run in 1990, which was inspired by 38-year-old Roger Milla.

Milla defied the ageing process to take the African side all the way to the quarterfinals where they came within seven minutes of making the semis. They were ultimately stopped by England and Gary Lineker.

Their 1990 World Cup campaign remains their best ever to date.

Geriatric.

Paraguay

What defines a one-man team?

I suppose someone who keeps goal, takes free-kicks, takes penalties and is generally an all-around legend.

Jose Luis Chilavert was just that man for Paraguay for a number of years.

Colourful.

England

1998 saw the emergence of a new England hero in Michael Owen.

While England had some big-named players in their squad, the young Michael Owen ultimately became their go-to-guy after his spectacular goal against Argentina.

England fans used to be in dismay whenever Owen was injured for England. How things change.

Crocked.

Republic of Ireland

2002 saw Mick McCarthy's Ireland make the World Cup before losing then-captain Roy Keane in a public spat.

Up stepped namesake Robbie Keane to carry the burden of the Irish until they were knocked out by Spain after extra time in the knockout stages.

Journeyman.

West Ham United

West Ham United escaped relegation from the Premier League in 2007 thanks to the contribution of one Carlos Tevez.

In a career that has seen the player remain consistently in the spotlight, Tevez has also been known to play some excellent football.

Saviour.

Portugal

Portugal are as reliant on Cristiano Ronaldo as Real Madrid have been and Manchester United were before them.

It's hard not to be when the player is so good, but without CR7 Portugal probably wouldn't be in the European Championships this year.

Effective.

Ghana

Ghana 2012 suffered a blow when Asamoah Gyan announced his international retirement, and the coaching staff has been trying to change his mind ever since.

Ghana need him badly if they are to stand any chance of making the World Cup in 2014.

Retiree.

Manchester United

Manchester United 2011-12 had to bring Paul Scholes out of retirement in order to fill the gaping hole in their central midfield, which was devoid of quality.

Alex Ferguson didn't think he could win the title without Scholes, and he was probably right.

Scholes' ability has been evident since his return, and Manchester United wouldn't be leading the title race if he hadn't decided to leave his vegetable allotment alone and return to training.

Wizard.

FC Porto

FC Porto are an excellent footballing side, but their strength lies within Brazilian player Hulk.

Given an £85 million buy out clause to ward off potential suitors, Hulk takes hold of matches and grinds out performances from his team.

Incredible.

Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid 2011-12 have been way too reliant on the goalscoring talent that is Radamel Falcao.

Falcao has been in glorious domestic form, scoring 22 goals in 29 league matches for the Spanish side, which has given them a modest eighth place position at the moment.

Any one else care to help out?

Solo.

Liverpool

Liverpool 2011-12 are in severe danger of turning Luis Suarez into the next Steven Gerrard.

With the English midfielder no longer as effective as he used to be, Suarez has stepped up to become the go-to-guy at Anfield, but he doesn't always get the job done.

Liverpool need to get more out of their midfielders before Suarez becomes a marked man.

Biter.

Barcelona

It's not that Barcelona don't have class in abundance throughout their team, but when Lionel Messi doesn't play, they don't often pick up the slack.

Essentially, they're just not used to playing without him thanks to his fantastic injury-free record.

There's no doubt that the club would adapt to live without Messi, but until they NEED to, they just won't.

Best ever.

Afterthoughts

Over-reliance is a dangerous thing in football, but when you have a player with such stand-out ability, it's hard not to keep giving him the ball.

Liverpool—I'm sad to say—have done it with Steven Gerrard for nearly a decade, and it's time to evolve.

The Internet has made access to player and team profiles much easier these days, and there's no excuses for not being able to source top-quality players to back up the existing squad that a manager enjoys.

Thanks for reading and be sure to check out Arsenal Transfer Rumours: Grading the Possibilities of 20 Gunner Transfers.

On Twitter? Follow me @petercwebster where I post all my B/R content.