The Most Arrogant Players in EPL History

There have been some pretty arrogant players in Premier League history. Which have promoted themselves most as self-centred deities and how justified have they been to hold themselves in such high-esteem?

If you agree, disagree or think there should be others worthy of making the list (it could have been a lot longer), let us know.

Eric Cantona

Zut alors! King Eric, the enigma. Has there ever been a most narcissistic celebration than the one following his goal against Sunderland in 1996? Following an exquisite chip over the opposing goalkeeper, Cantona nonchalantly turned 360 degrees, as if to make sure everyone inside Old Trafford was watching him.

It’s impossible to talk about Cantona without mentioning the infamous kung-fu kick on a Crystal Palace fan and his press conference following an eight match ban, when all he said was: “When the seagulls follow the trawler, it's because they think sardines will be thrown in to the sea.” Only Cantona had the chutzpah to pull off a stunt like that.

Justified? Cantona’s arrogance was completely vindicated. OK he shouldn’t have drop-kicked a terrace fan and there were many times he overstepped the mark. But Cantona was someone you’d pay good money to see. One of my abiding memories when I first started watching football was when Manchester United lost 1-0 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Facing his own end, the ball bounced towards him on the halfway line, seemingly safe territory. Suddenly he swiveled and launched the ball towards goal and over Dmitri Kharine. He hit the bar, but it was genius. He made football an art form.

Didier Drogba

Words like humble, modest and humility have surely been purged from Didier Drogba’s lexicon. The Chelsea striker oozes pretentiousness. You can see it in his cold, implacable eyes; I’d back Drogba to beat anyone in a stare-out contest though.

If Drogba could act he’d make a good Bond villain. You’re more likely to see him in the Naked Gun though. He’s got the melodramatic means but his over-the-top dives and willingness to feign injury would be risible if they weren’t so infuriating. It’s got to the point when he doesn’t even know he’s doing it.

It seems to be a case of ‘lie to yourself enough and eventually you’ll believe it’. Drogba seems to think it is his right to draw attention to the merest contact and expects intimidated referees to give it his way.

Justified? Drogba plays with a swagger to compliment the shock and awe tactics he is so renowned for. There’s no denying he’s a world-class centre forward and scares defenders witless; he reduced Philip Senderos’ career to rubble, for instance.

He also breathes confidence into the rest of the Chelsea team. Knowing you’ve got a prolific battering ram of a striker up there must be comforting, and you’d certainly rather have him on your side than the opposition's.

It is a shame he dives and play acts a lot (although he might think twice if referee’s pulled him up on it). But it is part of his make-up and he doesn’t pretend to be anything else. There’s nothing more disingenuous than a faux-modest footballer. Speaking of which...

Emmanuel Adebayor

Yes, it’s Emmanuel Adabayor, who somehow makes this list alongside some genuinely great players. Is the widely broadcasted perception of Adebayor fair? The enmity with Arsenal seems to be mutual. If media reports are to be believed, he committed himself to the club and within 24 hours threatened to move elsewhere for more money.

Consequently the club doubled his wages. His moody but idle performances failed to win the fans round so he joined Man City for a contract exceeding £100,000. The message was a universal 'so long and good riddance'.

However, Adebayor comes over very humble and speaks of his good fortune, admitting that he probably would have ended up a gangster in Togo without the opportunity to make a living from football. Then came his ridiculous celebration against Arsenal, however, reinforcing the view that he thinks the world revolves around him.

It’s very hard to judge. A bit like looking at a Panda really: Are you looking at a real Panda, or is it a man in a Panda outfit?

Justified? Adebayor has a lot of talent and can be genuinely unplayable on his day. But he’s a purple patch man and hasn’t proved to be consistent at the very top, whereas the estimable company on this list generally have.

Thierry Henry

The man that stopped smiling. Not because of the media witch hunt following his sinister ‘hand of God’ assist against Republic of Ireland. I’m talking about years ago at Arsenal, when he realised how incredibly incredible he was and forgot to crack the merest of grins whenever he scored.

Before that, he probably had the biggest smile in football. Henry knew when he was at the peak of his powers. After his sensational second during Arsenal's 5-1 triumph over Inter Milan, the Frenchman ran past a camera and asked rhetorically: "Who's the daddy?"

Justified? He’s approaching his sell-by-date, but was a sight to behold in his prime and probably the Premier League’s most aesthetic footballer to watch in full flight. The only thing missing from his trophy cabinet is a World Player of the Year award, which many suspect he would have won in 2004 had he played for a more fashionable club.

Audacious and cavalier, he became a goal scoring machine at Arsenal and the King of Highbury, a stadium he was able to shrink into the palm of his hand as he orchestrated the destruction of countless opponents. You shouldn’t forget the plethora of assists complimenting his scoring record; he celebrated those as much as his goals, just to remind you how good he was. Sometimes he even smiled.

Cristiano Ronaldo

The show pony turned pedigree thoroughbred. If you had to pick a theme tune to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo’s EPL career it would be MC Hammer’s Can’t Touch This. Those who tried to tackle the Portuguese either ended up on the seat of their pants or had to duck for cover from toys flying out of his pram.

Ronaldo has to be the most arrogant player in Premier League history: a slippery customer who conned referees with all the charm of a cold-calling salesman. Happy to play tailor’s dummy, you get the feeling he’s often late for social engagements while he bathes in aftershave and makes sure his hair... is... just... perfect...

Justified? It’s a cliché to say all the best sportsmen and women are arrogant. Belief is more a by-product of ability, but it's a moot point. Either way, you have to admire his honesty:

“My free-kick secret? I just look at the net and say ‘take the kick, Cristiano.’”

“I’ve never tried to hide the fact that it is my intention to be the best.”

“No one did what I did last season and for this I deserve the Golden Boot and why not the best World Player.”

Ronaldo has taken arrogance to a new level; almost to the point of solipsism (the theory that only the self exists). But if anyone can back it up Ronaldo can. The last quote above refers to his formidable 2007/08 season when he led Manchester United to the double with 44 goals as a winger.

He’s as close to anyone to boasting the full package (not talking about the Armani pants shoot here); his celestial presence at set pieces and impeccable heading ability sets him apart from even the likes of Thierry Henry. Quite simply, he’s got the lot.

He’s a divisive figure but there’s no doubting he has an unequivocal hunger for the football and has worked as hard as anyone to become the world’s best footballer.