When your manager says this about you, you know you're in a pretty good place in your career -
He is as good a central midfield player as anybody in the country right now.
That is how David Moyes chose to describe Leon Osman when talking about his ten years with Everton. He went on to add -
Early on, Ossie had the skills, but he did what he had to, so he could get a game, and he developed a competitive edge. If he had to mix it, he wouldn't shy away from that.
In other words, a footballer in the mold that Moyes likes them: scrappy, hardworking and never-say-die in outlook.
We polled our Twitter followers for what they felt were some of their favorite memories of Osman, and came up with a varied bunch of answers. Linked in the retweets are some videos of his performances.
We will be retweeting your favorite Leon Osman memories all day today to commemorate his 10th anniversary. #Ossie10 #EFC
— Royal Blue Mersey (@rbmersey) January 12, 2013
RT "@joe_stanley_efc: @rbmersey equaliser vs southampton this season, great finish! twitter.com/joe_stanley_EF…" footyroom.com/everton-3-1-so… #Ossie10
— Royal Blue Mersey (@rbmersey) January 12, 2013
RT "@glennthefitz: @rbmersey stormer v Larissa remains one of my all time favourite goals." youtu.be/ki7O0nZscXg #Ossie10
— Royal Blue Mersey (@rbmersey) January 12, 2013
RT "@mills1878: @rbmersey #Ossie10 The 20 yard run and finish vs Sunderland 7-1" youtube.com/watch?v=jfv-Rj… #Ossie10
— Royal Blue Mersey (@rbmersey) January 12, 2013
RT "@ghozter04: First caps for Three Lions #10yearsOssieTheLion @rbmersey #Ossie10 #EFC" youtu.be/rEkXj8x7y8o
— Royal Blue Mersey (@rbmersey) January 12, 2013
RT “@markfeenanmark: @rbmersey Getting his much deserved England cap!” youtu.be/hQSHYbh6g8Y #Ossie10
— Royal Blue Mersey (@rbmersey) January 12, 2013
RT “@braddderzz: @rbmersey his headed winner v Man City May 2011 after City took the lead #beautiful” footyroom.com/everton-2-1-ma… #Ossie10
— Royal Blue Mersey (@rbmersey) January 12, 2013
RT “@jackefcmccann: @rbmersey his goal against the redshite” footyroom.com/everton-2-2-li… #Ossie10
— Royal Blue Mersey (@rbmersey) January 12, 2013
Bonus: Here's a blast from the past from when Ossie had hair!