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Top 20 Premier League players I'd go for a beer with
I know Arsenal fans who say it's harder now to support their team because they have so few likable players – when Robin van Persie is one of your most popular players, you know something is up.
Perhaps I'm guilty of rose-tinted nostalgia, but I'm sure footballers used to be more likable. Today, I look at some of the Prem's biggest stars and although I may respect them, there are precious few I actually like. I would not want to share a beer with any of the following big names: Cristiano Ronaldo, Ashley Cole, Wayne Rooney, John Terry, Robinho, Michael Ballack, Didier Drogba, Dimitar Berbatov, Steven Gerrard. I could go on.
These are, in the main, young men who have an excess of ability with a ball at their feet, but lack so much else: charm, wit, intelligence, grace and humility, for starters. They live their cosseted, insular lives to a different set of rules than the rest of us. In their world, it's OK to park in a disabled parking space. In their world, it's OK to break the speed limit. In their world, it's OK to drink and drive. Again, I could go on.
There is, obviously, a touch of jealousy on the part of any of us who feel that modern players are often deeply flawed and deeply dislikable. We wish we could pick up a £100,000 weekly pay cheque, just for playing the game we love, and perhaps we believe that such wealth wouldn't turn us into arrogant monsters.
Fortunately, there are still a few players out there who seem to be decent blokes, despite the trappings of their profession. With that in mind, here are 20 Prem players (one from each club) I would happily go for a beer with:
Kolo Touré (Arsenal)
As I said above, the Gooners are a bit short on likable players. Kolo has always seemed like a very decent bloke though.
Brad Friedel (Aston Villa)
The American can be rather dour, but he's down to earth, bullshit-free and I imagine he'd be good company.
Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn)
Rovers' captain comes across as a thoroughly likeable Kiwi. 'Keeper Paul Robinson seems alright too.
Matt Taylor (Bolton)
More intelligent and articulate than most English players in the Prem.
Pter Cech (Chelsea)
Like Arsenal, there aren't many Chelsea players I warm to. Unlike many of his team-mates, Cech strikes me as a decent, honourable chap.
Phil Jagielka (Everton)
Well-known to be a top bloke.
Danny Murphy (Fulham)
Quiet and thoughtful, but also possessed of a dry wit. Like Taylor, he is smarter than many English players.
Jimmy Bullard (Hull)
Just for the laughs. Also widely known to be a first-class bloke.
Jamie Carragher/Pepe Reina (Liverpool)
Carragher because he fascinates me and I bet he has a wicked sense of humour. Pepe because he seems like a proper laugh.
Richard Dunne (Man City)
I don't know for a fact that Dunne is a nice fella - just a feeling I get from interviews I've seen. (If anyone has met him, leave a comment!)
Ben Foster (Man Utd)
There's not that many United players I'd go to the pub with, but Foster is one of them. If not Foster, Owen Hargreaves, who has a brain, would be interesting company.
Chris Riggott (Middlesbrough)
I'm told he's a nice guy. Again, can anyone confirm?
Nicky Butt (Newcastle)
Always felt the unassuming Butt had more depth to him than most of team-mates (both at Manchester and Newcastle).
Peter Crouch (Portsmouth)
Can laugh at himself, which so many players fail to do – you have to respect someone who, when asked what they would have been if not a footballer, replies "A virgin." Big love for Crouchy on BigSoccer.
Rory Delap (Stoke)
See Chris Riggott - just going on hearsay. And I'd ask him the secret of his massive throw-in.
Dwight Yorke (Sunderland)
One of the few players around who naturally plays with a smile on his face. (Although he doesn't play much these days.)
Carlo Cudicini (Tottenham)
Well CC's modest, obviously, which is an uncommon and appealing trait. I reckon Luka Modric would be good fun after a few vodkas too.
Dean Kiely (West Brom)
Another top bloke by all accounts.
Gianfranco Zola (West Ham)
I'd much rather share a grappa with Franco than any of his players - he has to be the nicest man in the history of the Premier League.
Steve Bruce (Wigan)
As with Zola, Brucey seems much more affable than his players.
Who would you share a beer with?
Perhaps I'm guilty of rose-tinted nostalgia, but I'm sure footballers used to be more likable. Today, I look at some of the Prem's biggest stars and although I may respect them, there are precious few I actually like. I would not want to share a beer with any of the following big names: Cristiano Ronaldo, Ashley Cole, Wayne Rooney, John Terry, Robinho, Michael Ballack, Didier Drogba, Dimitar Berbatov, Steven Gerrard. I could go on.
These are, in the main, young men who have an excess of ability with a ball at their feet, but lack so much else: charm, wit, intelligence, grace and humility, for starters. They live their cosseted, insular lives to a different set of rules than the rest of us. In their world, it's OK to park in a disabled parking space. In their world, it's OK to break the speed limit. In their world, it's OK to drink and drive. Again, I could go on.
There is, obviously, a touch of jealousy on the part of any of us who feel that modern players are often deeply flawed and deeply dislikable. We wish we could pick up a £100,000 weekly pay cheque, just for playing the game we love, and perhaps we believe that such wealth wouldn't turn us into arrogant monsters.
Fortunately, there are still a few players out there who seem to be decent blokes, despite the trappings of their profession. With that in mind, here are 20 Prem players (one from each club) I would happily go for a beer with:
Kolo Touré (Arsenal)
As I said above, the Gooners are a bit short on likable players. Kolo has always seemed like a very decent bloke though.
Brad Friedel (Aston Villa)
The American can be rather dour, but he's down to earth, bullshit-free and I imagine he'd be good company.
Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn)
Rovers' captain comes across as a thoroughly likeable Kiwi. 'Keeper Paul Robinson seems alright too.
Matt Taylor (Bolton)
More intelligent and articulate than most English players in the Prem.
Pter Cech (Chelsea)
Like Arsenal, there aren't many Chelsea players I warm to. Unlike many of his team-mates, Cech strikes me as a decent, honourable chap.
Phil Jagielka (Everton)
Well-known to be a top bloke.
Danny Murphy (Fulham)
Quiet and thoughtful, but also possessed of a dry wit. Like Taylor, he is smarter than many English players.
Jimmy Bullard (Hull)
Just for the laughs. Also widely known to be a first-class bloke.
Jamie Carragher/Pepe Reina (Liverpool)
Carragher because he fascinates me and I bet he has a wicked sense of humour. Pepe because he seems like a proper laugh.
Richard Dunne (Man City)
I don't know for a fact that Dunne is a nice fella - just a feeling I get from interviews I've seen. (If anyone has met him, leave a comment!)
Ben Foster (Man Utd)
There's not that many United players I'd go to the pub with, but Foster is one of them. If not Foster, Owen Hargreaves, who has a brain, would be interesting company.
Chris Riggott (Middlesbrough)
I'm told he's a nice guy. Again, can anyone confirm?
Nicky Butt (Newcastle)
Always felt the unassuming Butt had more depth to him than most of team-mates (both at Manchester and Newcastle).
Peter Crouch (Portsmouth)
Can laugh at himself, which so many players fail to do – you have to respect someone who, when asked what they would have been if not a footballer, replies "A virgin." Big love for Crouchy on BigSoccer.
Rory Delap (Stoke)
See Chris Riggott - just going on hearsay. And I'd ask him the secret of his massive throw-in.
Dwight Yorke (Sunderland)
One of the few players around who naturally plays with a smile on his face. (Although he doesn't play much these days.)
Carlo Cudicini (Tottenham)
Well CC's modest, obviously, which is an uncommon and appealing trait. I reckon Luka Modric would be good fun after a few vodkas too.
Dean Kiely (West Brom)
Another top bloke by all accounts.
Gianfranco Zola (West Ham)
I'd much rather share a grappa with Franco than any of his players - he has to be the nicest man in the history of the Premier League.
Steve Bruce (Wigan)
As with Zola, Brucey seems much more affable than his players.
Who would you share a beer with?
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Total Comments 23
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Gazza of course!Posted 03 Apr 2009 at 09:44 AM by mcontento 
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That sounds like a dream team of drinking buddies
Posted 03 Apr 2009 at 10:04 AM by thestagcompanydotcom
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brucie n robbo were the best drinkers back in the days at united....
likes of robbie savage would be good jus for fun
i have drank with paul scholes david may paul parker n dennis irwin and maysie is the best laugh... dennis a typical irish drinker thew two pauls were quietPosted 03 Apr 2009 at 10:33 AM by coach20
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Jermaine Pennant. Even though he was a failure at Liverpool, and is known to be really stupid, apparently he is a big practical joker and enjoys a good laugh. Sounds good to me.
Out of the current LFC players, I would pick Carragher. For the same reasons you listed.Posted 03 Apr 2009 at 11:05 AM by CCSC_STRIKER20
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How is anyone but Joey Barton #1 on this list?Posted 03 Apr 2009 at 11:10 AM by Matrim55
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Clinton Dempsey, if only cause after a few you could get him to freestyle rap!
Posted 03 Apr 2009 at 11:15 AM by Pfoley58
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I would go for a beer with Cristiano Ronaldo, but only for the tail he'd pulling in.
Posted 03 Apr 2009 at 11:30 AM by jameseyla
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I have had a drink with Dempsey before, seriously cool fella....Posted 03 Apr 2009 at 11:42 AM by PhishRidge
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Scholes, Gerrard, and Dempsey. And I've been around Demps in East Tejas.
Posted 03 Apr 2009 at 11:59 AM by dredgfan
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Lampard. Intellegent fellow and he'd bring the ladies as well.
Oh not to mention talking football with him.Posted 03 Apr 2009 at 12:47 PM by Blue Celery
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