Muzzy Izzet

Muzzy Izzet (born Mustafa Kemal Izzet; October 31, 1974 in Mile End, London) is a former footballer who played for Chelsea, Leicester City, Birmingham City and the Turkish national team. He is a prominent member of Britain's Turkish community, and the older brother of Kemal Izzet, also a footballer. His father is a Turkish Cypriot. He legally changed his name from Mustafa to Muzzy.

Early career

Izzet signed as a schoolboy for Chelsea, but never made a first team appearance during three years at the London club.

Leicester City

Izzet moved to Leicester City in March 1996 on loan for the rest of the season. He became a regular in the side, scoring one goal. When Leicester beat Crystal Palace in the play offs, Izzet was able to make his move permanent. He kept his place in the side for their Premier League season, which was successful for City. They came 9th in the Premiership, and won the League Cup. Izzet formed a partnership in midfield with Neil Lennon, which proved vital for Leicester. In the 98/99 season, Leicester came 10th in league, and reaching the League Cup final again, but lost out to Tottenham Hotspur. The following season, Leicester came 8th, and again got to the League Cup final, this time coming up against Tranmere Rovers, of Division One. This year they won 2-1, with Matt Elliott getting both goals. Izzet had been a regularity through all of this time. However, when Martin O'Neill left for Celtic, Izzet reportedly wanted to go with him. But the move never happened, and Izzet remained a Leicester player. Peter Taylor was appointed new City boss, and the team started well, being top in October. The team held on to the top four until January, when they slipped out. They were in the European places until March, until they played Wycombe. They lost 2-1 and form started to slip. City ended up coming 13th. West Ham and Middlesbrough both stepped up their interest for Izzet, but he didn't leave Leicester. The following season started with a 5-0 loss to Bolton, who had just been promoted. In October, Taylor was sacked and Dave Bassett was brought in as manager, with Micky Adams as his assistant. The team got relegated in 20th place and Bassett stepped aside before the end of the season, leaving Adams in charge. During the summer, Middlesbrough stepped up their interest for Izzet, putting in a bid. Izzet rejected the move himself, stating he wanted to help the club back into the Premiership. Leicester achieved this, and Izzet stayed. In 2003/04, Leicester were fighting relegation. In January 2004, Aston Villa put in a bid of 750,000. Izzet again rejected a move. At the end of the season, Leicester were relegated, and Izzet was out of contract, and Leicester couldn't afford to pay his wages. He was released at the end of the season.

Birmingham City

Izzet joined Birmingham City in June 2004. Injury plagued his first season, with him making only a handful of appearances. His second season was worse, with a knee injury keeping him out for a long period of time. Izzet announced he planned to return to Leicester, but knee injury stopped him from doing so, and ended his career. He announced his retirement in June 2006.

Honours

• Leicester City
• League Cup winner: 1997, 2000
• Leicester's top scorer in 2000-2001 with 11 goals.
• The Premier League's top assister in 2003-2004 season.

• Turkey
• UEFA Euro 2000 Quarter-Finalist
• FIFA World Cup 2002: 3rd place
• Member of Turkey's 2002 FIFA World Cup squad that finished 3rd. He played in the semi-final against Brazil and was capped 8 times in total.

References

External links

• Muzzy Izzet at Soccerbase