CULT KITS RANKS THE BARCLAYSMEN
We're jumping on this latest trend currently doing the rounds on all the socials.
The Barclaysmen is our bread and butter, essentially the Cult Heroes of the Barclays Premier League years, they either embody the club ethos to their core or they dazzled for half a season and then disappeared, we had to curate a list of our favourites.
The Barclays title era of the Premier League spanned from 2001 to 2016 but certain players stand out for us in this trend...
Shop All Premier League Kits Here
15. David Dunn - Birmingham City
We start with a thoroughbred, the English number 8 was pure talent but he is mostly remembered for that Rabona attempt in the West Midlands derby.
14. Kevin Doyle - Wolves
Irishman Kevin Doyle was Wolves through and through, he also scored absolute screamers, peak Barclaysman.
13. Ricardo Fuller - Stoke City
They don't make forwards like Ricardo Fuller anymore, a man mountain who could score from anywhere. I urge you to re-watch his goal against Villa in 2008, the first touch is unreal.
12. Amr Zaky - Wigan Athletic
Zaky was a fox in the box, his most memorable goal came against Liverpool at Anfield, a sumptuous overhead kick to put Wigan 2-1 up just before the break.
Shop Other UK Club Shirts
11. Michu - Swansea City
Michu falls under the bracket of burning brightly for a short spell, the Spaniard set the 2012/13 season ablaze, scoring worldie after worldie. He would go through on goal and you knew he was scoring before he would even arrive at the ball.
10. Geovanni - Hull City
The Brazilian joined Hull City for the 2008/09 season and instantly made Hull City history by scoring their first ever top flight goal with a lovely curling left foot finish. He was also a dead ball specialist, often leaving the keeper standing in awe.
9. Andrey Arshavin - Arsenal
Arshavin played for Arsenal in a period of mixed emotions, but the Russian always sparkled on the pitch. His technique, movement and vision were unrivalled and he had some strike on him too, as Liverpool learnt the hard way as he scored 4 times at Anfield in the same game.
Shop Arsenal Shirts
8. Niko Kranjcar - Portsmouth
Some managers and players just belong together, this is the case with Niko & Harry. Redknapp loved him so much during his Pompey days that he had to bring the Croatian with him when he signed for Tottenham.
Shop Cult Heroes Today
7. Brian Ruiz - Fulham
Brian Ruiz was an artist on the pitch, he played 97 games for the Cottagers and scored 12 goals, all of them exquisite or nonchalant, two delightful chips, he even scored direct from a corner... sublime.
6. Morten Gamst Pedersen - Blackburn Rovers
It is a proper cliché but the Norwegian had a wand of a left foot, his dead ball prowess and his sweet, venomous volleys, he lit the game alight during his 9 year stint with Blackburn Rovers.
Shop Blackburn Rovers Kits Here
5. John Carew - Aston Villa
Villa have a new big John these days, but John Carew was on another planet. A man for the big occasions, his partnership with Gabby Agbonlahor was perfectly in sync. The Villa side included a prime Ashley Young and James Milner who would provide ample service for the Norwegian actor.
4. Yakubu - Everton
They don't make ballers like The Yak anymore, an absolute poacher, so many of his goals were scored from inside the 6 yard box, centre halves could not deal with his presence and aerial ability. Feed the Yak and he will score, a motto truly deserved.
Shop Everton Classics Here
3. Elano - Manchester City
The Brazilian playmaker was signed just before the big money came in and only spent 2 seasons with Manchester City but he made an immediate impact in the Premier League. He played 62 times and scored 14 goals which includes an absolute thunderbolt of a freekick against Newcastle United.
2. Jay-Jay Okocha - Bolton Wanders
The battle for top in this list could've come down to a coin toss, that's how much we revere both of these Premier League icons. In 2nd place is the legendary Nigerian winger Jay-Jay Okocha, his effortless footwork and skills combined with his freekick and volley technique made him one of the finest players to play in the Premier League. Every week there would be a new highlight of a skill or goal from the man so good that they name him twice.
Shop the Jay-Jay Bootleg here - Get 3 for 2 on all Bootleg Tees
1. Tugay Kerimoğlu - Blackburn Rovers
