The most-hated former player from each current Premier League club

Let's find out!

Who is the most-hated former player from each current Premier League club? Let's find out!

Arsenal (Robin van Persie)

Once club captain and top scorer, Van Persie's decision to join Manchester United — and immediately win the league — infuriated Arsenal fans. His open letter explaining the move didn't help; many still consider him a traitor. Considering how Arsène Wenger treated the Dutchman, the resentment from fans following his decision to leave is justified, even if he made some valid points around Arsenal's lack of ambition at the time.

Bournemouth (Ryan Fraser)

Fraser angered Bournemouth fans during the 2019-20 season by refusing to sign a short-term extension to help the club fight relegation after the COVID-19 break. He left the club as a free agent after running down his contract, leaving Bournemouth short-staffed in their battle to stay up. Many fans felt his actions were selfish and disloyal after the club had developed him into a Premier League player.

Brentford (Ivan Toney)

Toney had four exceptional years for Brentford, firing them into the Premier League and consolidating their spot. However, his consistent comments about wanting to leave and play for a 'top club' before he moved to Saudi Arabia, rubbed Brentford fans up the wrong way. Toney was left out of some games towards the end of the 2023/24 season, and some fans still can't accept how he left.

Brighton (Glenn Murray)

Murray is one of Brighton's greatest-ever strikers, scoring 111 goals in 287 games for the Seagulls, according to Transfermarkt. However, Murray joined Brighton's biggest rivals, Crystal Palace, in 2011 in a back-stabbing moment some fans haven't gotten over. He left Brighton and helped Palace get promoted to the Premier League.

Burnley (Marvin Sordell)

Marvin Sordell joined Burnley from Watford and was a bright young prospect with massive potential in 2012. It went so badly that in September 2015, his contract was mutually ripped up after scoring once in 21 games. Burnley fans still dislike the striker.

Chelsea (William Gallas)

Gallas was a key player for Chelsea during their rise in the early 2000s but left the club under a cloud in 2006. Amid a contract dispute and a desire to play at centre-back, Chelsea claimed he threatened to score own goals and refused to play if not sold. His move to rivals Arsenal, as part of the deal that brought Ashley Cole to Chelsea, infuriated fans further. He also later played for rivals Tottenham, too. We're not sure fans of any of his former teams remember him too fondly...

Crystal Palace (Neil Ruddock)

A Millwall fan joining Crystal Palace was already a terrible idea, and Neil Ruddock felt the full force of the Palace faithful when he joined in 2000. Ruddock's terrible attitude brought him continued hatred from the fans, and the persistent red cards from kicking out and abusing referees didn't help.

Everton (Ross Barkley)

Barkley was once the pride of Everton's academy—a local talent tipped to become a club legend. But his departure in 2018 left fans furious: after backing out of a transfer to Chelsea on deadline day, he joined them just months later for half the fee, without playing another game for the Toffees. Supporters felt betrayed, accusing him of orchestrating the move for personal gain while the club lost out.

Leeds United (Alan Smith)

Alan Smith was 'Mr Leeds United' and was loved by all of the Leeds faithful. He fought for every ball and gave 110% on the pitch, but Leeds had to sell when they were relegated. He joined bitter rivals Manchester United, causing fans to burn his jersey, and his parents were targeted.

Liverpool (El Hadji Diouf)

Diouf was brought in to help Liverpool win the Premier League title in 2002, but his lack of goals and terrible attitude quickly made him enemy number one. He had a habit of spitting at people and regularly bumping heads with Steven Gerrard. When you mess with Gerrard, Liverpool fans will quickly hate you.

Manchester City (James Milner)

Milner was a reliable and versatile player for Manchester City, but angered fans when he moved to rivals Liverpool in 2015 on a free transfer. Although he cited a desire for more playing time in his preferred midfield role, many City fans viewed the move as a step down. His subsequent success at Liverpool, plus some of his comments in the media, further strained his relationship with some sections of the City fanbase.

Manchester United (Carlos Tevez)

Tevez was incredible for Manchester United in his two years at the club, but he decided to join Manchester City due to a lack of game time, despite playing more minutes than Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney. United fans never forgave Tevez for his betrayal, and City's 'Welcome to Manchester' sign for Tevez didn't help either.

Newcastle United (Michael Owen)

Newcastle United broke their transfer record by signing Michael Owen from Real Madrid in 2005, and all he did to repay them was get them relegated and complain for the rest of his career about joining Newcastle in the first place. His war of words with Alan Shearer was the tipping point for Newcastle fans.

Nottingham Forest (David Platt)

Platt was Nottingham Forest's player-manager. He made zero impact on the pitch and plunged the club into mountains of debt as manager. He spent several million on poor players and singled out some of the most important players by leaving them isolated from the first-team picture.

Sunderland (Jack Rodwell)

No one boils Sunderland fans' blood more than Jack Rodwell, the man they signed from Manchester City and who earned £70,000 without even doing anything. He played two league games in the season they got relegated, and continued to refuse to have his contract ripped up so he could keep getting paid for doing nothing.

Tottenham (Sol Campbell)

Campbell did the unthinkable by leaving Tottenham to join North London rivals Arsenal in 2001, but his manner quickly made him the most hated former Spurs player. Campbell insisted he would never leave spurs but became an Arsenal player the next day—and later a legend at Highbury. Brutal.

West Ham United (Paul Ince)

According to 90Mins, Paul Ince graduated from the West Ham academy in the late 1980s, but relegation turned things sour. Following 1989, he made one appearance for the Hammers before being pictured wearing a Manchester United top before the deal went through. The 'Judas' label was thrown around, and his son Tom Ince still gets stick today.