The Portsmouth man who former Liverpool and Spurs striker Peter Crouch believes left Kanu, Sulley Muntari and Lassana Diarra in shade

The former Blues and England striker has described the outrageous talent the Frenchman possessed - but failed to transfer from the training ground to matchday.

Crouch explained Mvuemba, who joined Pompey in 2007 would leave the likes of Lassana Diarra, Kana and Suilley Muntari in the shade at the club’s former Eastleigh training ground.

Speaking in a Daily Mail Q&A, the 6ft 7in striker was asked: who are the most talented players you saw in training that struggled to find the consistency to make them world-beaters on a Saturday.

Crouch said: ‘This award goes to Arnold Mvuemba.

‘The name will probably mean nothing to you, so let me give you a reminder.

‘He played for Portsmouth and came from France. He was at Fratton Park at the same time as Lassana Diarra, Sulley Muntari and Kanu and left them for dead every day.

‘He had everything in training and I mean everything. He was strong, he was quick; he could pass, he could tackle.

‘Every day you would look at him and think to yourself: “wow!” but then it came to the weekend and Arnold would disappear without a trace.

‘I don’t know whether it was nerves, all I know is that he only played 14 games over two seasons before returning to France for spells with Lorient and Lyon.

‘He’s probably the best midfielder you never knew had been in the Premier League.’