Top Ten: Premier League sulkers
We all know the jokers in the game, the ones who play with a smile on their faces. We remember the moments like Gazza and Vinny Jones becoming acquainted in the 80s, Jimmy Bullard's Phil Brown celebration at Manchester City, and look back on them with fondness regardless of our team allegiance. But who are the players that are everything but this; the sulkers, the whiners, the moaners, the simply unbearables. Every team has them and every fan knows one- so Sport.co.uk takes a look at the Top 10 incredible sulks.
Do you agree with our Top 10 or is there someone from your team who could out sulk this lot? If so, why not leave a comment in the section at the bottom of the page.
Nicolas Anelka
The man who coined the phrase Incredible Sulk has been involved in his fair share of controversies down the years. Fell out with the hierarchy at Arsenal and Real Madrid and PSG and... well you get the picture. The forward has had more clubs than a golfer and it’s only in recent years that we have seen a smile replace the pet lip. Has been outstanding for Chelsea and although a mini-sulk was beginning to develop over demands for a new contract, he remains an integral part of Carlo Ancelotti’s squad. However let’s not forget that it was his eviction from the World Cup squad that caused the French players to go on strike after he spoke out against manager Domenech; although this time he was probably right.
The man who coined the phrase Incredible Sulk has been involved in his fair share of controversies down the years. Fell out with the hierarchy at Arsenal and Real Madrid and PSG and... well you get the picture. The forward has had more clubs than a golfer and it’s only in recent years that we have seen a smile replace the pet lip. Has been outstanding for Chelsea and although a mini-sulk was beginning to develop over demands for a new contract, he remains an integral part of Carlo Ancelotti’s squad. However let’s not forget that it was his eviction from the World Cup squad that caused the French players to go on strike after he spoke out against manager Domenech; although this time he was probably right.
Mido
It’s difficult to know where to start with the Egyptian striker, but the fact that the 27-year-old has had 11 clubs already in his career speaks for itself. The big forward also holds the unenviable tag of not being wanted by Middlesbrough as he was forced out on two loan spell last season with Zamalek and West Ham; the latter were reportedly only paying him £1,000 a week, a sign of how much his value has dropped. The Teessiders then allowed him to leave on a free this summer despite paying £6million for his services 3 years earlier. At international level too Mido has spat the proverbial dummy when he was thrown out of his country’s African Cup of Nations squad for arguing with the manager after being substituted. So with the striker unable to settle in one place and leaving when things don’t suit- he truly does walk like an Egyptian.
It’s difficult to know where to start with the Egyptian striker, but the fact that the 27-year-old has had 11 clubs already in his career speaks for itself. The big forward also holds the unenviable tag of not being wanted by Middlesbrough as he was forced out on two loan spell last season with Zamalek and West Ham; the latter were reportedly only paying him £1,000 a week, a sign of how much his value has dropped. The Teessiders then allowed him to leave on a free this summer despite paying £6million for his services 3 years earlier. At international level too Mido has spat the proverbial dummy when he was thrown out of his country’s African Cup of Nations squad for arguing with the manager after being substituted. So with the striker unable to settle in one place and leaving when things don’t suit- he truly does walk like an Egyptian.
William Gallas
The most uninspiring captain in history has caused problems at both of his previous London clubs- so Tottenham fans beware. Undoubtedly a talent on his day, the Frenchman has tendency for the ridiculous and an ability to court the unbelievable. Gallas refused to play for Chelsea in 2006 after the World Cup and this forced the West Londoners to make him part of the swap deal with Ashley Cole. There were even rumours that Gallas had threatened to score own goals in games if he were still at Stamford Bridge come the end of the transfer window. Although he did not stoop this low at Arsenal, he fell out with just about everyone at the Emirates and was stripped of the captaincy after criticising teammates. He eventually left the Gunners this summer after deeming that £80,000 a week was simply not sufficient; enough said.
The most uninspiring captain in history has caused problems at both of his previous London clubs- so Tottenham fans beware. Undoubtedly a talent on his day, the Frenchman has tendency for the ridiculous and an ability to court the unbelievable. Gallas refused to play for Chelsea in 2006 after the World Cup and this forced the West Londoners to make him part of the swap deal with Ashley Cole. There were even rumours that Gallas had threatened to score own goals in games if he were still at Stamford Bridge come the end of the transfer window. Although he did not stoop this low at Arsenal, he fell out with just about everyone at the Emirates and was stripped of the captaincy after criticising teammates. He eventually left the Gunners this summer after deeming that £80,000 a week was simply not sufficient; enough said.
Hatem Ben Arfa
Despite the young Frenchman’s wonder strike and performance against Everton, the creative forward arrived in the North East with more than enough baggage. Having decided that Tyneside was the only place for him, he embarked on the ultimate sulk to make sure he got his own way. The mission included pulling himself from the Marseille squad to fly to Newcastle to try and negotiate his season long loan, and threatening retirement if the French club stood in his way. But I’m sure the Magpies won’t mind a sulk if he fires the goals that keep them in the league.
Despite the young Frenchman’s wonder strike and performance against Everton, the creative forward arrived in the North East with more than enough baggage. Having decided that Tyneside was the only place for him, he embarked on the ultimate sulk to make sure he got his own way. The mission included pulling himself from the Marseille squad to fly to Newcastle to try and negotiate his season long loan, and threatening retirement if the French club stood in his way. But I’m sure the Magpies won’t mind a sulk if he fires the goals that keep them in the league.
Ronaldo
You have to wonder why he’s here with his £250,000 a week contract, the title of most expensive player in the world and an unlimited supply of overly-tight Armani boxer shorts; but yet the Portuguese star is still considered one of the biggest sulks around. This was amply summed up by Sara Carbonero, Spanish TV Presenter and girlfriend of Madrid Keeper Iskar Casillas, who said: “Ronaldo has always been like that, selfish and individualist on the pitch and Real Madrid signed him like that.” Strong words, but many would say it’s a fair review of the new number 9.
You have to wonder why he’s here with his £250,000 a week contract, the title of most expensive player in the world and an unlimited supply of overly-tight Armani boxer shorts; but yet the Portuguese star is still considered one of the biggest sulks around. This was amply summed up by Sara Carbonero, Spanish TV Presenter and girlfriend of Madrid Keeper Iskar Casillas, who said: “Ronaldo has always been like that, selfish and individualist on the pitch and Real Madrid signed him like that.” Strong words, but many would say it’s a fair review of the new number 9.
Robinho
Out of all the expensive imports to Eastlands, this man still remains the most costly, and granted there were occasions when we had glimpses of what he was all about. Nevertheless talk of dressing room disharmony instigated by the Brazilian led to him spending six months of last season on loan at Santos. Now a Milan player, the Rossoneri will have to deal with tantrums, strops and recurring injuries for away trips in winter.
Out of all the expensive imports to Eastlands, this man still remains the most costly, and granted there were occasions when we had glimpses of what he was all about. Nevertheless talk of dressing room disharmony instigated by the Brazilian led to him spending six months of last season on loan at Santos. Now a Milan player, the Rossoneri will have to deal with tantrums, strops and recurring injuries for away trips in winter.
Pierre Van Hooijdonk
Who could forget the enigmatic Dutchman, certainly not Nottingham Forest fans after he went on strike in the 1998/1999 season. Taking matters into his own hands, remember being almost 12 years ago this was pre Bob Crow, the forward left for his homeland after the Forest board refused to grant him a transfer. He did return later on in the season and helped Forest to finish err... bottom. However you have to wonder if the Midlands side had done their homework as he left previous club Celtic under a cloud after he described their contract offer as "good enough for the homeless" to live on "but not for an international striker. £7,000 a week could buy an awful lot of cider.
Who could forget the enigmatic Dutchman, certainly not Nottingham Forest fans after he went on strike in the 1998/1999 season. Taking matters into his own hands, remember being almost 12 years ago this was pre Bob Crow, the forward left for his homeland after the Forest board refused to grant him a transfer. He did return later on in the season and helped Forest to finish err... bottom. However you have to wonder if the Midlands side had done their homework as he left previous club Celtic under a cloud after he described their contract offer as "good enough for the homeless" to live on "but not for an international striker. £7,000 a week could buy an awful lot of cider.
Laurent Robert
Brought to Tyneside by Bobby Robson for a cool £9.5million, the colorful winger was mesmerizing at times; none more so than the 4-0 home demolition of Spurs when he scored two wonder goals and created another couple for Alan Shearer. However he only played when it suited him and the problem was nobody knew when that what would be. Left the Magpies in the 2004-2005 after publically criticizing manager Graeme Souness and his final appearance in the North East saw him strip down and run the field in front of the home fans, who in turn responded by putting their tops back on.
Brought to Tyneside by Bobby Robson for a cool £9.5million, the colorful winger was mesmerizing at times; none more so than the 4-0 home demolition of Spurs when he scored two wonder goals and created another couple for Alan Shearer. However he only played when it suited him and the problem was nobody knew when that what would be. Left the Magpies in the 2004-2005 after publically criticizing manager Graeme Souness and his final appearance in the North East saw him strip down and run the field in front of the home fans, who in turn responded by putting their tops back on.
Asmir Begovic
Would have been nowhere near this list a year or so ago, mainly because nobody knew anything about him. But his toys out of the pram moment and reported refusal to play in the Carling Cup tie sees him sneak in as a late entry. Apparently there was reported interested from Chelsea (WTF as the kids would say) and Begovic was unhappy at not being allowed to talk the champions. Although the strike claims and the interest from Chelsea were never confirmed, manager Tony Pulis described the whole incident as ‘disrespectful’ and not even to just stoke the fire, he actually meant it.
Would have been nowhere near this list a year or so ago, mainly because nobody knew anything about him. But his toys out of the pram moment and reported refusal to play in the Carling Cup tie sees him sneak in as a late entry. Apparently there was reported interested from Chelsea (WTF as the kids would say) and Begovic was unhappy at not being allowed to talk the champions. Although the strike claims and the interest from Chelsea were never confirmed, manager Tony Pulis described the whole incident as ‘disrespectful’ and not even to just stoke the fire, he actually meant it.
Sam Allardyce
What else can we say about Big Sam; the only manager to make the list and when you consider the competition (Mourinho, Wenger et al) then we must praise his level of sulkiness to be here. Has sulked ever since he was branded as a long ball manager- even though he is, and when his teams are called anti football- again even though they are. Did claim this week that his style does not suit a Bolton or a Blackburn, more Inter Milan or Real Madrid; well Sam if you are waiting for one of those clubs to call you, it looks like many more sulky years ahead.
What else can we say about Big Sam; the only manager to make the list and when you consider the competition (Mourinho, Wenger et al) then we must praise his level of sulkiness to be here. Has sulked ever since he was branded as a long ball manager- even though he is, and when his teams are called anti football- again even though they are. Did claim this week that his style does not suit a Bolton or a Blackburn, more Inter Milan or Real Madrid; well Sam if you are waiting for one of those clubs to call you, it looks like many more sulky years ahead.
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