Mediterranean Sunset On Mpenza's Career?

"I think it was important we brought this type of quality to the football club. We have been through a transitional period, and we have worked very hard at bringing so manyplayers here, but the icing on the cake had to be
done."

-- Plymouth Argyle's Paul Sturrock speaking in September 2008.

Back in the closing summer months of 2008, Plymouth Argyle, desperately seeking a solution to resolve their misfiring front-line, prayed that their fortunes would transform upwardly by luring in the traits of a veteran striker possessed with a wealth of top-flight experience in Belgium, Germany and England. The capture of 54-capped Belgian international striker Emile Mpenza was a warmly-greeted murmur in the transfer window, one manoeuvre judged to have been shrewd and astute. Worst case scenario it seemed certain that it was the introduction of a steady-hand, a calming influence and mentor to the array of goal-shy forwards already floundering at Home Park.

Nine demeaning appearances later, six of whom off the substitutes bench and amassed only two goals to his credit, signified that any sense of logical thought had defied the hapless transfer and, according to the Plymouth Herald Sport, his occupancy as Devon's best-paid footballer will dawn to a close in the coming weeks. Crete-based Ergotelis, who compete in the Greek Super League, are rumoured to be homing in on the former Manchester City striker, whilst a return to his homeland will act as another alternative to prolonging his injury-plagued career.

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Brussels-born Emile Mpenza spent his halcyon years donned in the shirts of Standard Liege, where he scored 41 goals in 74 appearances spread across two stints for Les Rouches, and a three-year spell at Schalke, which accumulated 28 goals in 79 occasions. After mixed spells with Hamburger SV and Al Rayyan of Qatar, relegation-threatened Manchester City benefitted the rewards of his services with three critical league goals that arguably maintained their Premiership status.

This season saw Plymouth Argyle clamber to survival in the Football League Championship by five points and, more distressingly, only one position from the relegation trapdoor. Meanwhile, Ergotelis collected 37 points en-route to their comfortable mid-table standing of ninth.