Frank_Leboeuf

Former Player: Frank LeBoeuf

Frank LeBoeuf is a legendary European centre-back and Chelsea legend who experienced a superb career at the top level of world football. Here is our tribute.

LeBoeuf started his career in the lower reaches of French football with teams such as Laval and CS Meaux before being snapped up by Strasbourg while he was still a youngster. He played 189 games over 5 years for Strasbourg, scoring almost 50 goals, not a bad ratio for a centre-half I’m sure you’ll agree!

Chelsea snapped the Frenchman up in 1996 for a fee of £2.5 million. He made over 200 appearances for the mighty Chelsea and continued to find himself on the scoresheet, taking a lot of penalties and set pieces for the blues. His overall tally whilst playing in England came to 24 goals. Again, no mean feat for a defender.

LeBoeuf was renowned for his cultured defensive playing style. Not your typical centre back, Frank could play a bit too. He had a long passing range, creativity and a mean eye for a penalty or set piece. These skills made the Frenchman a legend wherever he plied his trade.

LeBoeuf left Chelsea in 2001 to rejoin his home-town team Marseille, where he played 50 games before seeing out the twilight years of his career in Qatar with Al-Sadd and Al Wakhra.

Frank won trophies throughout his career, and has medals from his club career, winning two FA Cups and one League Cup in England, but it is perhaps his International career that LeBoeuf will remember most fondly, making 50 appearances for his native France, winning both European Championship and The World Cup, where he dazzled with a stunning defensive display against the legendary Ronaldo, restricting the Brazilian to barely any chances to attack in the most coveted match in world football, and deservedly taking home a World Cup Winners medal.

Frank has kept a relatively low profile in the footballing world since his retirement, but has made appearances on television and even in films. The French answer to Vinnie Jones? Time will tell…

Frank LeBoeuf, The North Stand salutes you!

Ben

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