While an unfortunate traffic accident in Rome badly impacted the remainder of Matt Jansen's Blackburn Rovers career, he also retains fond recollections of former team-mates.
Ex-Ireland winger Damien Duff particularly stands out for the former striker.
Jansen shared some of those memories from 2000-2002 period of Duff's club career with me on this week's Team 33.
"We had a great squad of young players and a mix of older players," he recalled.
You can listen to the full podcast right below, here, or on iTunes.
"Duffer was different class. He didn't look like a typical footballer. I always said when he was running with the ball, he seemed to run faster with the ball than without it. It was ridiculous and he was so skillful, so quick with the ball, which was incredible.
"And for him to deliver crosses or for us to get on the end of things or slide passes through, he would cause chaos in defences. You could be at hand for a tap-in or at hand when he's sliding you in for a one-on-one. He was incredible and a great lad as well."
Andy Cole
Jansen also spoke fondly of former strike partner Andy Cole, who had moved from Manchester United.
"He's misunderstood, I think, Coley," said Jansen.
"He lives just up the road from me now but he's a good guy. I struggled with strike partners. But when he came in, we hit it off. I'm gutted that it didn't last that long. It was just three-quarters of a season that we seemed to hit it off.
"I played around him and he had a knack for getting in the right place at the right time, and would score goals and be in the right place for me. And I benefited from him and he benefited for me. We really hit it off but it was cut short due to my accident in Rome."
While it wasn't a partnership that lasted long, the duo still won the 2002 League Cup together, both scoring in the final against Tottenham:
Due to chat to ex-Blackburn Rovers striker Matt Jansen for @teamthirtythree and @offtheball this week on his autobiography.
Excellent striker on his day before the unfortunate turn of events for him in 2002
Looking forward to it! pic.twitter.com/PWUktl6k3C
— Raf Diallo (@Raftastico) September 9, 2019
Jansen isn't the only person we've spoken to on Team 33 about playing with Damien Duff. You can also check out our interview with ex-Liverpool and Blackburn left-back Stig Inge Bjornebye here.
