The EPL Players Fans Love to Love

Unless you've had your head in the sand, you will know that it was Valentine's Day this week.

Couples all over the world expressed their undying love for each other, wine was sipped and gifts were exchanged.

But we all know that football supporters everywhere also hold a special place in their hearts for their favourite players, whether you like to admit it or not.

There are certain characters at clubs who strike up a special connection with their fanbase, whether it's through their loyalty to the shirt or via their breath-taking displays on the pitch.

Oh, it's love alright, and here is a slideshow to salute the players who fans would secretly swap their partners for in a heart-beat...

Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)

Arsenal and England fans alike are loving having Jack Wilshere back and available for selection, and the 21-year-old is wasting no time in impressing on his return.

Wilshere has been in great form since returning to the fold at The Emirates, and his display against Brazil for England last week received universal praise.

It had been a frustrating couple of years in the lead up to this campaign, with Wilshere not playing much football thanks to a persistent ankle injury, but the purists will be glad that he is back to his exceptional best now.

The Englishman has the potential to be one of the best players of his generation, and Gunners fans will be looking forward to watching that progression every step of the way.

Christian Benteke (Aston Villa)

Christian Benteke has been nothing short of a revelation since joining Villa in the summer, and his goals may prove to be the difference in keeping the West Midlands outfit in the top flight.

If he continues to display the sort of form that he has been of late in his maiden Premier League season, his stay at Villa Park may be nothing more than a short-term fling, because other clubs are bound to be looking at Benteke with more than a hint of jealousy in their eyes.

The Belgian has all of the attributes to forge a really top career for himself, and at the age of just 22; the world is at his feet.

Regardless of what division Paul Lambert's men are playing in next year, they are likely to face an almighty scrap to keep Benteke away from the clutches of admirers everywhere.

Frank Lampard (Chelsea)

Chelsea fans have made their feelings well known in recent weeks by repeatedly suggesting that they don't want this whirlwind romance to end.

The club appears to want to break off the relationship, but Lampard and the supporters clearly still see a future for the 34-year-old at Stamford Bridge.

Lampard can't do anymore to persuade the Blues bosses to change their minds, with the England midfielder in blistering goal-scoring form once more.

The former West Ham trainee has been a wonderful acquisition for Chelsea throughout the years, and his brilliant displays have seen him establish himself as one of the very best goal-scoring midfielders of his era.

If this is to be the end, it's been quite a ride, but I wouldn't be surprised if there's still some mileage to go in this saga just yet...

Tony Hibbert (Everton)

Tony Hibbert is Everton through and through.

Like Steven Gerrard over in the red half of Merseyside, Hibbert grew up in Liverpool and achieved his dream of playing for the club he supported as a boy.

Since then, Hibbert has been such a solid servant for the Toffees and has been a virtual ever-present in every Everton squad following his début in 2001.

It's fair to say that Evertonians don't love Hibbert for his goal-scoring ability—his return of just a solitary goal in a preseason friendly is hardly going to have the likes of Nikica Jelavić or Victor Anichebe shaking in their boots—but Hibbert gives so much more than that, and his commitment is second to none.

For Everton fans it's like watching one of their own represent them on the pitch, and you can bet your bottom dollar that Hibbert will end his career exactly where he started it: at Goodison Park.

Mark Schwarzer (Fulham)

At the age of 40, it's incredible to think that Mark Schwarzer is still going strong as a Premier League goalkeeper, and fans from all over the country will be sad when he eventually decides to hang up his gloves.

Of course, they won't miss the Australian stopper making world class saves against their team, but the former 'Boro man has been such a familiar face in the division for so many years now that it will be strange to not have him as a part of the League.

Fulham fans have really taken to the 'keeper, and they haven't had to worry about finding another No.1 since the moment Schwarzer joined the club back in 2008.

However, he can't go on forever, and there will be a time when supporters at The Cottage will have to face up to a future with someone else between the sticks.

Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)

The story of Steven Gerrard is a rare one in the modern era.

The local lad grew up in the city, dreamed about pulling on the red jersey and would ultimately go on to lead the club he so adored—a really unique tale when you consider the vast sums of money that dictate the game we know today.

Simply put, Steven Gerrard was born to play for Liverpool Football Club.

The 32-year-old has matured into one of the very best midfielders to grace the planet today, and Reds supporters are privileged to watch him play every week.

Gerrard briefly flirted with the prospect of joining Chelsea on a number of occasions, but the bond between himself and everyone involved at Anfield proved too strong.

Liverpool will always remain Steven Gerrard's true love, and Gerrard will always hold a special place in the hearts of Reds fans everywhere, from Toxteth to Tokyo.

Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)

Pablo Zabaleta is one of the most respected players in the division, with his infectious personality drawing praise from both City and rival fans alike.

Apart from being a good bloke, he's also a very decent player, and his contribution to the Citizens is often overlooked amongst the plethora of stars currently plying their trade at Eastlands.

"Zaba" is both a fighter and a leader and for that reason he is a loved greatly by the blue half of Manchester.

The Argentine has seen many players come and go during his five years at the club so far, but the fact that he still remains speaks volumes of how important he is to the current Premier League Champions.

Ryan Giggs (Manchester United)

Well, what can you say about Ryan Giggs?

To still be playing for one of the world's biggest clubs at the age of 39 is just remarkable; there's no other word for it, and he doesn't show any signs of calling it a day just yet.

It's not even like Giggs is a spare part either; he still brings something to the table as shown by his goal against Everton last weekend, and there is no way that Sir Alex Ferguson would continue to select him if he felt that Giggs wasn't up to the pace of modern Premier League football.

The Welshman is simply part of the furniture at Old Trafford, and it is almost unimaginable to envisage a United squad without him in it.

This looks like it's an unbreakable marriage, and it would come as little surprise if Giggs continues to work for the club long after his playing days are over.

It's just a shame that Giggs didn't show the same loyalty to his wife, although even that saga hasn't seen the one-club-man lose any respect for his wonderful contribution on the pitch.

Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle United)

When Fabricio Coloccini arrived in England, it seemed like his hair wouldn't be the only thing to flop.

The Magpies have a history of paying over the odds for distinctly average defenders, with memories of Jean-Alain Boumsong sure to still send a chill down many a Geordie spine, and it looked for all the world like Coloccini would join that select group after struggling to adjust to the English game.

However, since finding his feet, the Argentinian has bounced back to spectacular effect and has proved himself to be the quality defender that the club thought they were getting when they forked out £10.3 million to prize him away from Deportivo La Coruña.

What's more, he showed great loyalty to stay at the club despite their relegation to The Championship in 2009 and that, coupled with his superb displays, make him a firm favourite on Tyneside.

Grant Holt (Norwich City)

Grant Holt may have a physique that suggests he's had one too many of Delia's pies, but that doesn't stop the 31-year-old from being practically hero-worshipped in Norfolk.

A shock transfer request last summer briefly tested the romance between the player and his adoring Canaries fan-club, but like a happily married man momentarily tempted by another woman, Holt resisted temptation and decided to commit for the long haul.

The forward hasn't quite been at his best this season, but you can't argue with a return of over 60 league goals in his three and a bit seasons with City, having joined from Shrewsbury Town in 2009.

During that time, Holt has managed to cram in a hat-trick against local rivals Ipswich Town, score crucial goals against the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United and win the club's player of the season award three times in succession.

Not bad for a self-confessed fat lad from Carlisle!

Jamie Mackie (Queens Park Rangers)

Whilst many high-profile players have seen their stock plummet dramatically the moment they walked through the doors at Loftus Road, Jamie Mackie has actually seen his reputation soar thanks to his committed performances in an increasingly difficult cause.

The Scot may not be the most talented member of the QPR squad, but his energy levels are an example to his teammates of how they should be fighting for their lives.

If Rangers are to get out of this mess, they will need other members of the team to step up to the plate and emulate Mackie's desire as they try to avoid a return to The Championship that would financially cripple the club.

You can often hear the Hoops fans singing "There's only one Jamie Mackie" from the stands in West London.

How they must often wish that there were 11 of him.

Jem Karacan (Reading)

Reading are a team built on hard-working individuals, and no one epitomises that more than their competitive midfielder Jem Karacan.

The Turkish star has been with the club since the age of 14 and has progressed through the ranks to make it in the first team.

Injury has meant that Karacan missed the final stages of the Royals promotion campaign last season, as well as being used sparingly this time out, but that has not stopped the fans appreciating a player who has continually given his all for the Berkshire outfit.

At just 23, his better years should still be in front of him, and Brian McDermott clearly felt the same way after he sanctioned a new contract for Karacan that will run until 2015.

Nicky Shorey is another contender for the crown after he re-joined the club from West Bromwich Albion in the summer.

Adam Lallana (Southampton)

The Southampton academy production line is undeniably one of the most prolific in English football with Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain having all started their careers at St Mary's.

Whilst the above have all gone on to secure big money moves to some of the Premier League's biggest clubs, another graduate in the shape of Adam Lallana has so far not been tempted to look elsewhere as he continues to excel playing for the club he has been at since the age of 12.

As anyone that has watched his career develop would have suspected, the talented midfielder has taken to the top flight with embarrassing ease, and his impressive form earned him a first call-up to the England senior squad for the clash against Ukraine in September of last year.

Despite attracting interest from elsewhere, you get the feeling that Lallana feels at home on the South Coast and he could be pulling on the red jersey for many more years yet to come.

Ryan Shawcross (Stoke City)

Captain of the club and rock at the back, Ryan Shawcross is invariably the first name on the team sheet at the Britannia Stadium.

The 25-year-old has successfully endeared himself to the Potters' supporters ever since the moment he joined the Staffordshire outfit on a permanent deal from Manchester United back in 2008, and he has gone on to force his way into the England set-up after making his first appearance against Sweden.

Sir Alex Ferguson has gone on record saying that he regrets letting Shawcross out of his grasp, which says everything you need to know about Shawcross' impact in the Potteries.

His blossoming career hasn't come without its low points along the way, his infamous challenge on Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey received widespread criticism for one, but the centre-half has shown courage to rise from such adversity and excel again.  

Sebastian Larsson (Sunderland)

Sebastian Larsson seems to have found himself a new home in the North East, after making a successful career for himself since leaving Arsenal.

Leaving such a big club can be enough to cause some players' careers to spiral out of control, but Larsson has used the rejection as a chance to prove the Gunners wrong for letting him go.

He left North London for a successful spell at Birmingham City before making the switch to Sunderland in 2011 following the Blues relegation to The Championship.

And how glad Black Cats fans are to have him.

The Swedish International has wonderful delivery from both the flanks and from set pieces, and his knack of scoring key goals has made him a real hero at The Stadium of Light.

This looks like a pairing that could be together for a very long time, and that is something that will be music to the ears of Larsson and his followers alike.

Michu (Swansea City)

When a player arrives at a club and has such an immediate impact, it's difficult not to instantly fall in love with him, and that is exactly what has happened at the Liberty Stadium with the purchase of Michu.

The Spaniard has arguably been the find of the season, already netting 15 Premier League goals, which is some return when you consider that the welsh club only paid £2 million to lure the 26-year-old away from Rayo Vallecano.

Like Christian Benteke at Aston Villa, it may be hard for Swansea to keep hold of Michu for an extended period of time, but the prize of European football if the Swans go on to lift the Capital One Cup could make him stick around for a while longer yet.

Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur)

Gareth Bale has developed into one of the most feared footballers in world football, with the Welsh Wizard now dazzling on the Premier League stage.

Physically, Bale has matured since moving from Southampton, and it is that new found pace and power that make him the stuff of defenders' nightmares and supporters' dreams.

So brilliant has Bale been this season that Spurs fans must feel like they are blessed to be watching such a  prestigious talent at N17, and they will be hoping that this match made in heaven continues for some time to come.

Benoît Assou-Ekotto must also get an honourable mention, with the Cameroonian's bright personality also making him a firm favourite at The Lane.

Shane Long (West Bromwich Albion)

Shane Long is a player that has made the step up from The Championship to The Premier League look effortless, and his great form is said to have sparked foreign interest.

It looks as though the Baggies will be facing a battle to keep hold of Long beyond the end of this season, with The Daily Mail reporting that both Lazio and Sevilla are keeping tabs on the Irishman whose contract expires in just a few months time.

The 26-year-old is a fan's favourite at The Hawthorns, and manager Steve Clarke would loathe to lose a striker who cost £6.5 million to sign from Reading.

Whether Long decides to ditch the West Midlands for a new Latin romance remains to be seen, but if he were to leave, it would leave a big void in West Brom's striking department, with Romelu Lukaku likely to return to Chelsea and Peter Odemwingie going AWOL!

Mark Noble (West Ham United)

Another local boy done good, Mark Noble would probably be on the terraces cheering on the Iron if he hadn't made it as a professional at Upton Park.

The 25-year-old is the club's longest serving player and has thrilled Hammers supporters with his combative displays ever since bursting onto the scene in 2004 as a fresh-faced 17-year-old.

Noble has gone on to wear the captain's armband and is still an integral part of Sam Allardyce's team.

Having represented England Under 21's numerous times, Noble will now have his heart set on trying to break into the senior team and become the latest person to graduate from United's "academy of football."

Paul Scharner (Wigan Athletic)

Wigan Athletic fans will have no doubt been delighted with the news that Paul Scharner was returning to the club in January, as the defender penned a loan deal until the end of the season.

Like a couple of high school sweethearts who have been reunited after a long absence, you just feel that Scharner and Wigan Athletic are destined to be together, and there is something romantic about the Austrian's return to the DW Stadium.

The 32-year-old was superb for the Latics in his first spell at the club before seeking new pastures at West Bromwich Albion, where he also enjoyed a relatively successful spell.

Tears were shed when Scharner left Wigan the first time round, but now he is back at the club he calls "home," and rest assured, he will be giving everything to try and keep his side in the Premier League once more.

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