Premier League Players Who Ended Up Loving the Clubs They Hated

Football is a game of passion, loyalty, and, often, banter.

But the sport has a funny way of proving the adage, “never say never.” Over the years, we’ve seen players who once despised certain clubs end up wearing their jerseys—and excelling for them. Let’s explore these fascinating stories of players who ate their words and embraced their former rivals.

Virgil van Dijk: From “No One Likes Liverpool” to Leading Their Defense

Before Virgil van Dijk became the defensive cornerstone of Liverpool, he tweeted his support for Manchester United, calling on them to beat the Reds. His 2012 tweet, “No one likes them,” couldn’t feel more ironic now. Van Dijk went on to anchor Liverpool’s defense, guiding them to Premier League and Champions League glory. It’s a turnaround even he might not have imagined.

James Maddison: From Rival Tweets to Spurs Star

James Maddison, now a central figure in Tottenham Hotspur’s midfield, once publicly backed Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere over Spurs’ Gareth Bale. Back in 2012, Maddison’s tweet cemented his allegiance to Tottenham’s North London rivals. Fast forward a decade, and Maddison is orchestrating Spurs’ attacks like he was born to play for them. Football truly has a way of flipping the script.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: Dozing Off on Chelsea

Leicester City’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall once made waves for tweeting his boredom with a Chelsea match in 2011. Claiming he fell asleep watching them, he wasn’t shy about his disdain. Though he hasn’t donned Chelsea blue, his story reminds us how opinions can change in football, as he might one day find himself facing—or even joining—the Blues.

Matt Doherty: Arsenal Fan-Turned Spurs Defender

In 2012, Matt Doherty wore his Arsenal fandom on his sleeve, cheering for the Gunners even as their rivalry with Tottenham burned bright. Eight years later, he signed for Spurs and had to hastily delete his Arsenal-loving tweets. Doherty went on to play a crucial role in Tottenham’s defense under José Mourinho. Football truly loves irony.

Kyle Walker: From Criticizing City to Dominating with Them

Kyle Walker once labeled Manchester City fans as “glory supporters” after a 2012 match against Tottenham. At the time, City had just begun their ascent to football dominance. A few years later, Walker joined City and became one of their most decorated players, with six Premier League titles and a slew of other trophies under his belt. Who’s laughing now?

Lessons from the Game: “Never Say Never”

Football’s rivalries are fierce, but its unpredictability is what makes it beautiful. As these stories show, players often end up thriving in environments they once disliked. So, next time you’re passionately trash-talking a club, think twice—you never know where life (or football) might take you.