There’s plenty of ways to gauge the popularity of a Premier League star; the size of the crowd’s roar when his name is announced in the line-up, the number of songs the terraces have about him and so on.
But when it comes to fans putting their money where their mouth is, the number of shirts with a player’s name on the back speaks volumes. Which players proved themselves worthy of such lofty adulation over the last 12 months?
Read on to find out…
10. Cazorla – Arsenal'
Another gem uncovered by Arsenal, ' diminutive playermaker Cazorla looks to have captured the imagination of the Emirates stadium in double-quick time, jumping straight into the number 10 spot.
Let’s hope he can continue this form, though – lest Santi suffer the same fate as Andrei Arshavin, who was in a similar position only two years ago…
9. Oxlaide-Chamberlain – Arsenal
Young, English and exciting to watch, it’s no surprise that the latest of Wenger’s wunderkinds has quickly found favour with fans the world over.
The bustling midfielder has quickly raised his public profile with fun features like OxTV on Youtube and is unafraid to share banter with team-mates and fans over social networks.
8. Wilshere – Arsenal
Arsenal supporters seem keen on welcoming back one of their brightest prospects from a nightmare spell on the treatment table with a surge in shirt sales.
Capable of threading delicate through-balls one minute and thundering into a challenge the next, it’s no surprise to see fans wanting to emulate this young star.
7. Suarez – Liverpool
Controversy-courting striker Suarez can safely be summed up as summing up what people mean when they talk about football being ‘from the sublime to the ridiculous’.
Capable of a match-winning finish or costly temper flare up, we wonder that if Suarez does stay at Anfield this season whether his name and number will be as popular in The Kop this season?
6. Hazard – Chelsea
Creating chances for his team-mates defined Eden Hazard’s first season with the Blues, and that sort of selfless play has undoubtedly won him admirers both inside and outside of Stamford Bridge.
A joy to watch, here’s hoping that, with a place at the World Cup potentially at stake, we see the young Belgian star turn it up a notch this season. Oh, and the fact he has such a cool name probably doesn’t hurt, either.
5. Torres – Chelsea
Finding a diluted version of the ‘vintage’ Torres we once knew this season, Rafa Benitez brought back some of the potential of the Spanish forward this last year, particularly in the Europa League.
Torres’ place in the top 10 selling player shirts shows just how much the Chelsea fans get behind the World Cup-winning striker, almost willing him on to do well when he pulls on a blue shirt.
4. Aguero – Manchester City
The man who scored the goal that ended City’s decades-long wait for the title the season prior, Aguero’s place on this list should surprise absolutely no-one.
Hampered by injury this season, here’s hoping the Citizens get behind the Argentine again this season under a new-look management team.
3. Kagawa – Manchester United
Many cynics saw bringing in Kagawa in the same transfer window as selling Park Ji Sung as Manchester United still trying to curry favour with the lucrative Asian market.
However, on the pitch Kagawa proved he was much more than just a marketing tool – becoming the first Asian player to score a Premier League hat-trick.
2. Wayne Rooney – Manchester United
Despite more than a fair few moments of controversy with fans of both club and country, Wayne Rooney is still clearly a favourite with Old Trafford regulars.
Another player in the midst of a transfer tug-of-war, we wonder how the former Everton player’s shirts will sell next year – and what colour they’ll be?
1. Robin Van Persie – Manchester United
A lethal finisher, with a good reputation, playing for one of world’s most popular clubs; of course RvP is number one.
Making his first season in an all-red shirt a memorable one, Van Persie’s goals were a big factor in winning Manchester United’s 20th league title and have clearly already won the hearts of the Stretford End.
Any surprises in that list?
Let us know in the comments!
Love everything you guys do, but I don’t understand how you all consistently misspell WILSHERE. It’s on the shirt in the picture. I’m not one to pick out people’s errors, but when it’s that big a player and done as much as you do it, something had to be said.
Surprised that Gareth Bale hasn’t cracked the top ten, he must be taking 90% of Spurs shirt sales?
die rags