Wayne Rooney was king of the replica kit last season. The Manchester United striker’s surname was the most popular for the back of Premier League replica shirts. It is the first time the England forward has been the top name and he is the first United player to lead the list since Cristiano Ronaldo in the 2007-08 season.
The top 10, published in the Premier League Season Review 2010-11, is based on worldwide sales of names and numbers. For the past two seasons Fernando Torres was the biggest seller but after leaving Liverpool he slipped a place, as did Steven Gerrard.
It’s worth pointing out that despite a shocking start to the season for Rooney – when he announced that he wanted to leave – and poor form dogging him well into the second half of the season, he still managed to sell more shirts than Torres, branded as Judas after his move to Chelsea and Gerrard, with Liverpool fans distraught at their teams performances and not as active in buying shirts.
Indeed, Torres in second place is more because of his move to Chelsea and the subsequent Chelsea shirt sales, although had he lit up Stamford Bridge with some goals he may have overtaken Rooney at the top.
The top three – Rooney, Torres and Gerrard – are the only players who have appeared in the top 10 in each of the past four seasons. Dropping out were Cesc Fábregas, Michael Owen, Jamie Carragher and Carlos Tevez. Chelsea’s Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba both held steady.
The only re-entry was Arsenal’s Robin van Persie, who returns after a three-season absence into his highest placing at fifth. Ryan Giggs made the list for the first time, coming in at No10. Liverpool’s Uruguayan forward Luis Suárez entered at No8 despite only arriving in England in January.
The Top 10 Footballer Names On Fans’ Football Shirts Last Season:
1 Rooney (Manchester United)
2 Torres (Liverpool / Chelsea)
3 Gerrard (Liverpool)
4 Chicharito (Javier Hernández) (Manchester United)
5 Van Persie (Arsenal)
6 Lampard (Chelsea)
7 Drogba (Chelsea)
8 Suárez (Liverpool)
9 Arshavin (Arsenal)
10 Giggs (Manchester United)
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