Where do Luis Suarez and Mario Balotelli rank among the most controversial Premier League players…
SEE ALSO: Best Premier League players 2014/15
Enigmatic centre forward Mario Balotelli is reportedly nearing a return to the Premier League with Liverpool, less than two years after leaving England, and former club Manchester City, to join AC Milan.
His first spell in the Premier League was plagued with controversy both on and off the pitch, but where does he rank among the division’s most controversial players.
Click through the pages and find out:
10) Kolo Toure
Despite never before being associated with controversy, in March 2011 it was revealed that Toure had failed a drug test and had been suspended. The World Anti-Doping Agency imposed a six-month suspension from football, with the Ivorian claiming that he had taken his wife’s diet pills.
9) El-Hadji Diouf
During his early Premier League career, Diouf was involved in several incidents where he spat, or allegedly spat, at fans and opposition players. In 2003 he was involved in an incident when he spat at Celtic fans during a televised UEFA Cup quarter-final. He was also fined during his time with Bolton for similar offences.
8) Emmanuel Adebayor
Adebyaor’s running knee slide after scoring for Manchester City against Arsenal will live long in the memories of most Gunners fans, who will also be displeased that the Togo international then decided to move to their arch-rivals, Tottenham, following his spell with the current Premier League champions.
7) Ashley Cole
Nicknamed ‘Cashley’ Cole for his supposed wage demands during his time with Arsenal, the England full-back was never far from the spotlight. After being involved in an alleged ‘tapping up’ incident ahead of his move to Chelsea, Cole hit the headlines again for misdemeanors in his personal life, and his failed marriage to singer Cheryl Cole.
6) Adrian Mutu
After being signed by Chelsea for over £15m in 2003, the Romanian endured a difficult and short-lived career at Stamford Bridge. Mutu had a difficult relationship with the club’s new manager José Mourinho, with each accusing the other of lying about an injury. In September 2004, he failed a drugs test for cocaine and was released.
5) Rio Ferdiand
In the wake of a court case involving John Terry and Rio’s brother Anton, in which Terry was found not guilty of racial abuse, he sparked media controversy by expressing amusement at the comments of a Twitter user who referred to Ashley Cole, who had testified in Terry’s favour, as a “choc ice”. He was also banned for a missed drugs test in 2003.
4) John Terry
Was involved in a high profile bust-up with Wayne Bridge after allegedly having an affair with the partner of his former Chelsea teammate. Also accused of racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdiand, for which he was found not guilty. Investigated for selling illegal tours of the Chelsea training ground in 2009.
3) Mario Balotelli
Balotelli has been given a reputation by the media for being a difficult character and taking part in questionable and often amusing activities. He was once described by Jose Mourinho as “unmanageable.” You would need several thousand words to cover all the stories relating to him, and the infamous “Why Always Me” tag is most certainly an apt one.
2) Joey Barton
For so long he was, without a doubt, the most controversial player in English football. Who could forget his iconic meltdown on the final day of the 2011-12 season, shortly before Manchester City won their maiden Premier League title, not to mention a whole host of other on, and off the field incidents.
1) Luis Suarez
However, Barton is eclipsed by the man who everyone loves to hate, a player whose immense talent is matched only be his ability to land himself in hot water. This will be the third season in a row that he has missed a large portion of the season through a moment of controversy. Three well-publicised bites and is clash with Patrice Evra are unfortunately a large part of what is time in the limelight will be remembered for.
SEE MORE:
Greatest football team of all time! Check out the best XI of the 21st Century
FIFA 2015 Player Ratings Revealed.
Most expensive players of all time