Lee Cattermole turns 36 years old today – almost 13 years on from when the former Sunderland midfielder was showered in praise by Yaya Toure.
Lee Cattermole celebrates his 36th birthday today, and his fourth since retiring from professional football.
The midfielder spent ten years of his career with Sunderland, making 262 appearances for the Black Cats as he established himself as a real icon at the Stadium of Light.
Cattermole was present in so many of the good times on Wearside, while he remained committed during the tough times too.
He was part of the team that reached the League Cup final in the 2013/14 season, as well as the team that lost the EFL Trophy to Portsmouth five years later.
He was named as the North East Football Writers’ Association’s Player of the Year in 2014 and also earned plenty of calls to be named in the England squad, but never quite made it to the international stage.
Cattermole eventually left a lasting legacy at Sunderland, as he moved to the Netherlands with VVV-Venlo in 2019. The Middlesbrough-born star was a fan favourite, though was seen by many outside fans as a dirty player who was always sent off – despite getting as many in the Premier League as the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes and Mikel Arteta.
One player who did appreciate Cattermole’s quality though, was Manchester City legend Yaya Toure.
The Ivorian joined Man City from Barcelona in 2010, having played with the likes of Sergio Busquets, Eric Abidal and Carlos Puyol.
Toure went onto win three Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups with City, though before he enjoyed his prime years at the Etihad Stadium, he found the time to heap praise on Catts.
Speaking to Daily Mail in 2011 about the tough opponents he had faced in his first year in England, Toure said: “Micah Richards is very quick and he is probably quicker than me.
“He will be a top England player one day. He is unbelievable. And I think (Edin) Dzeko is stronger than me, he is incredible. Scholes was small but don’t be fooled, he was tough.
“The one at Sunderland, what is he called? Yes, (Lee) Cattermole, that’s him. Very strong!”
Yaya Toure – Lee Cattermole’s biggest fan
Yaya Toure will have faced Lee Cattermole twice at this point – once during a dramatic 1-0 win for Sunderland at the start of the 2010/11 campaign (their first win over Man City in 10 years), before the Black Cats were thrashed 5-0 eight months later.
Cattermole had his moments, but he was undeniably one positive in a very dark time for Sunderland in the Premier League.
At his best, he was absolutely exceptional, though he probably should have left the club slightly earlier than he did.
He is definitely the kind of person and player we are missing now though. The 34-year-old would have been an excellent leader among a very young squad.
While probably not as terrifying or outwardly passionate, we can hope that Corry Evans can bring something similar upon his return to the first team.