A product of the Nantes academy, Marcel Desailly had a stellar career at the top level. Becoming one of the best French footballers in history, the former AC Milan man lifted the Champions League on two occasions, as well as the European Championships and World Cup with his nation. Winning the Champions League in 1993 with Marseille, before succeeding again the following year with Milan, the legendary defender became the first player to win the cup in consecutive seasons, with different clubs.
After five years with Milan, between 1993 and 1998, Desailly moved to the Premier League to join Chelsea, where he spent six years. Making 158 appearances in the English top flight, the Frenchman netted six goals and won the FA Cup, Community Shield and a UEFA Super Cup during his time in London. Having played in some of the biggest games in Europe, and against some of the best teams, Desailly has played in some of the best stadiums in football. When asked by the Premier League productions team what was the best ground he played at in England, the Frenchman opted for one of the league's most iconic locations.
Desailly Revealed The Best Stadium He Played In
He chose one of the best atmospheres in England.
When asked for "the best Premier League stadium you have played in", Desailly was very quick to respond. The World Cup winner replied without hesitation:
"St James' Park. I like this stadium, quite scary. At the time, they were having a good crowd."
Desailly had mixed fortunes on his visits to 52,305-seater St James' Park, making three appearances, winning once, drawing once and losing once. Being booked on his first trip to Newcastle's home, the former Nantes man was evidently unsettled when he first went to the iconic stadium.
Desailly went on to add that his least favourite opponent was Newcastle's greatest ever striker, Alan Shearer. "It was awful to play against him, because you couldn't intimidate him," he said, which further highlights why he didn't enjoy trips to St James' Park. With the famous Geordie crowd on his back, as well as intimidating, excellent players such as Shearer, it is no surprise that Desailly found the ground so challenging.
Having played in some of the biggest games in the world, including the 1998 World Cup final, a game he was sent off in, the Frenchman has seen it all, and knows what makes a difficult atmosphere.
Opting for Newcastle's home St James' Park, many ex-players will likely agree with Desailly's assessment. A club which can produce some of the best atmospheres in the world, particularly during big games, the Magpies' faithful can create a very rowdy environment, as they cheer every tackle and throw in they win. Demonstrated recently against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final, St James' Park is able to produce some of the Premier League's best noises, in an era where great atmospheres can be hard to come by.
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