The Premier League entices fans across the world with its fast-paced, breakneck football, its star power, and its propensity to deliver drama in abundance. England’s top flight is the most popular football league in the world for a multitude of reasons.
One of them is hatred.
As much as we enjoy marvelling at the skill of Alexis Sanchez and the scoring exploits of Sergio Aguero, we enjoy watching the league’s noteworthy villains fail in equal measure. A woeful shot, a red card, being humiliated by a skillful opponent – we love it all, especially when the victim conjures the same emotions as Joey Barton and Robbie Savage in days past.
Here is a collection of the most hated players in the Premier League heading into the 2015-16 campaign.
We’ll start, of course, with the granddaddy of them all.
Diego Costa
A snarling beast of a striker who wears short sleeves and gloves when the weather might suggest otherwise, Diego Costa is the sport’s foremost purveyor of the “accidentally on purpose” stamp, late tackle, or headbutt.
Had the former Atletico Madrid attacker struggled to adapt to the Premier League, misfiring in front of goal, he would have been categorized as a waste of money and nobody would care. Instead, he feasted on supreme service from Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas, pumping in 20 goals over 24 EPL appearances in his debut season.
Ruthless, reckless, and annoyingly talented at finding the net, nobody fills neutral fans with unabashed hatred quite like Costa.
That he was critical in Chelsea’s capture of the league crown last season only helped make him more despicable in the eyes of everyone outside Stamford Bridge.
John Terry
An adulterer – with his teammate’s girlfriend, no less – who has ahistory of racial abuse: no wonder most non-Chelsea supporters loatheJohn Terry.
He also happens to (still) be arguably the best central defender in the Premier League. That makes it so, so much worse.
Olivier Giroud
Jealousy is a hell of a character trait.
The hair. The accent. The suaveness that oozes from his bronzed skin. Did we mention the hair? Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud is, in no uncertain terms, a striking specimen.
No wonder non-Arsenal supporters love to deride the Frenchman whenever he spurns a scoring opportunity, jumping on the chance to spew criticism quicker than a puma springs on its prey.
He can’t help that he’s gorgeous. You can help that you’re green with envy.
Marouane Fellaini
Generally, an awesome Afro would make you more likable, even if you had the talent of an uncoordinated preschooler. You actually have to work exceedingly hard to be disliked with such a hairstyle.
Enter Marouane Fellaini. The abrasive Belgian is hated by Everton fans for joining Manchester United, hated by United supporters for the exact same reason, and loathed by everyone else for his propensity to throw elbows without getting called for it.
It’s not his fault he’ll never justify his £27.5-million transfer fee, but that certainly makes it easy for many to pile on with the vitriol.
Simon Mignolet
Simon Mignolet’s lack of proficiency between the posts burdened the world with watching the hapless Brad Jones. For this, the Belgian shot-stopper deserves endless scorn.
In this endeavour, the football world has joined together to answer the call.
In fact, Liverpool supporters are leading the charge.
Emmanuel Adebayor
The list of nameplates plastered under the “Enemy No. 1” sign at the Emirates is extensive: Gael Clichy, Robin van Persie, everyone on Tottenham.
Emmanuel Adebayor, however, doesn’t have a plaque. The Togolesepylon striker has his very own statue.
Naturally, he now plays for Tottenham – though the actual playing part is somewhat of a misnomer, considering he spends more time stapled to the bench than a third-choice goalkeeper.
Ryan Shawcross
Newsflash: People don’t like it when you snap a talented midfielder’s leg like a twig, then continue to throw your body around recklessly at the peril of everyone around you. Go away, Ryan Shawcross.
Source: Thescore.com