There have been recent claims from the fans and pundits that loyalty does not exist in the top tier of the English football anymore. Although there are many heroisms found in the likes of Carlton Cole and James Constable, there are not many stories like that in Premier League football. Arsenal are without a doubt scapegoated by the disloyal footballers around such as Robin van Persie and Samir Nasri that their players are not getting into this list of loyal footballers.
Liverpool
KOP heros Gerrard and CarragherSteven Gerrard
Any article on loyalty in football would look pointless and absurd if it does not feature this one-club-man. Steven Gerrard started him footballing career at the age of seven with the Merseyside outfit. The 32-year-old midfielder was given the captain’s arm-band after just five years that he debuted for the Kops at the age of 23. Despite the interest from Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid and numerous other clubs, he has never set his eyes off Liverpool. The English midfielder who has won two FA Cups, three League Cups, two Community Shields, one Champions League, one UEFA Cup, and two Super Cups with Liverpool might not win a medal till his retirement but he’d never leave Anfield.
Jamie Carragher
Here’s yet another one-team-man and he’s from Liverpool, too. The Merseyside-born player came through the Liverpool academy as he joined the Reds as a twelve-year-old. The Liverpool faithful centre-back has made more than 700 appearances for the Merseyside club and he’s has also got almost forty English caps before retiring from international football. Jamie Carragher stands first only Ian Callaghan in the most number of European appearances for Liverpool. Carragher and Gerrard were made the vice-captain and captain respectively of Liverpool in the same year. Jamie Carragher has won two FA Cups, three League Cups, two Community Shields ,one Champions League ,one UEFA Cup and two Super Cups with the Anfield club.
Manchester United
Manchester United legends Paul Scholes and Ryan GiggsPaul Scholes
Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United still find it hard to replace the former English international although Tom Cleverley is expected to fill his shoes in. Joining the Old Trafford club in 1991, Paul Scholes was never involved in a transfer which makes him a one-team man. Although his disciplinary record is not so convincing, his composure is always spot on. The English midfielder who holds 66 senior caps for England announced his retirement from professional football by the end of 2011-12 season. However, he reverted the decision as he helped Alex Ferguson to pull his team out of the midfield crisis and he has been phenomenal since scoring five League goals for the Red Devils. The Manchester United faithful has won ten Premier League, three FA Cup and two UEFA Champions League winners medals with the nineteen time Champions.
Ryan Giggs
Some people compare him with Francesco Totti of Roma but the Italian is a one-team man. On the other hand, the Welsh player started him youth career with Manchester United’s local rivals, Manchester City. The most decorated player in the history of English football has never moved clubs since as he holds the record for the most number of competitive games in England. Although he makes some sloppy performances such as the one against Tottenham Hotspur outpaced by the fellow Welshman Gareth Bale, his name can never be forgotten by the seven hundred million Manchester United supporters around this world. His Manchester United career is filled with successes as he managed to win 12 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups and two Champions League titles.
Chelsea
John Terry
John Terry joined the London based club in 1998 from another London club, West Ham United after coming through the academy of Senrab. He has made more than 500 appearances for the Blues as he still is the top scoring centre-back in the history of Chelsea. The former England captain is worshipped by the supporters of Chelsea despite the fact that he’s hated by all the non-Chelsea supporters which might increase his loyalty day in, day out. The 31-year-old defender has added many feathers to his and Chelsea’s cap. His individual awards include UEFA Club Defender of the Year in 2005, 2008 and 2009, PFA Players’ Player of the Year in 2005 while his honours with Chelsea comprises of three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups and a UEFA Champions League.
Frank Lampard
Here’s yet another Chelsea legend who came through the academy of West Ham United. Joining the Hammers’ Youth Academy as a 16-year-old, Frank Lampard went on to become the top goal-scorer in Chelsea’s history. Although there are speculations of him moving out of the club along with his long-time national and club team-mate, Ashley Cole, his loyalty is unquestionable. He revealed that his late Mother asked him never to leave the London based club before kicking the bucket due to pneumonia. His career high with the Stamford Bridge club would easily be skippering his club to Champions League victory against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena last season. The 34-year-old midfielder won a multitude of titles with Roman Abramovich’s club which includes three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three Capital One Cups, two Community Shields and a Champions League title.
Analyzing through the cases of Samir Nasri, Emmanuel Adebayor, Robin van Persie, Joleon Lescott, Fernando Torres, Ashley Cole and Jose Enrique, anyone can easily conclude that loyalty no more exists in the top tier of English football. But the likes of Kevin Davies, Phil Neville, Michael Dawson and above mentioned names give the new football lovers a glimpse of what loyalty in football is.
Being an Arsenal supporter myself, I was unable to add any current Arsenal player to list. Unfortunately, the likes Johan Djourou who are unwanted by the elite clubs still remain at Emirates Stadium while the likes of Alexandre Song have moved to other clubs in search of better pay-check. Hope I would be able to mention Jack Wishere when I write an article on loyalty after a decade.