The Ultimate Agitators: Premier League's Biggest Wind-Up Merchants

On the face of things, football is a pretty game. Centred around skill, movement, and teamwork with a ball. It is the beautiful game.

However, there are also parts of it that are not so beautiful – parts that are used for gamesmanship and to gain an edge over your opponents. Some players do their talking with their feet, and on the pitch, but others love a wind-up and banter with the opposition.

Often loved by the fans, who are some of the biggest and best wind-up merchants that the Premier League has seen?

Jamie Vardy celebrating like an eagle, in front of the Eagles

Never change, @vardy7 😂 pic.twitter.com/0rOvtBTR3y

— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) January 11, 2021

1. Jamie Vardy 2. Diego Costa 3. Luis Suarez 4. Eric Cantona 5. Joey Barton 6. Neal Maupay 7. Robbie Savage 8. Emi Martinez 9. Richarlison 10. Emmanuel Adebayor

1. Jamie Vardy

Maybe the most well-known and biggest wind-up merchant in recent memory, Jamie Vardy was the king of annoying both opposition fans and players.

A goal-scorer at the top level, Vardy famously played a huge part in Leicester’s fairytale journey to winning the Premier League title in 2016, going on a historic goal-scoring run.

Since lifting the trophy, the Englishman further established himself as one of the most clinical strikers in the country, taking pride in each of his goals scored by taunting the opposition. The master of celebrations, Vardy has made the eyes roll of every opposition fan on numerous occasions, such as smashing a corner flag at Sheffield United, and this season, pointing out to Tottenham fans that he has won more league titles than their club.

If you want a player that is going to give it, it’s incredibly difficult to find someone better than Vardy, as at times it seems that he cherishes winding up the opposition, even over scoring goals.

2. Diego Costa

From one prolific striker to another, Diego Costa was a defender’s nightmare during his time at Chelsea, a big physical lump who could also annoy you with his antics. Costa was the definition of a handful.

Not only a danger to the opposition, Costa also used to terrorise and play pranks on his teammates, such as mocking N’Golo Kante, due to the Frenchman being ‘shy’ in the showers.

However, the opposition was the striker’s main target, and Costa would prove to be a pain for any defender that he faced, throwing in big challenges, adding a bit extra, whether that was a flailing arm or leg, and attempting to start a potential physical conflict by pushing the opposition’s buttons.

Costa’s time in the Premier League was short and sweet, but for all the mayhem that he did cause, he will always be fondly remembered by fans.

3. Luis Suarez

Another player who did not spend a large part of their career in the Premier League, Luis Suarez was a controversial yet loveable figure during his time at Liverpool as he quickly became one of the best goal-scorers in world football.

Suarez would run rings around defenders, sometimes taking it too far and making the blood boil of his opposite numbers. The Uruguayan notably made David Moyes fume in the Merseyside Derby, with the Everton boss publicly labelling Suarez as a ‘diver’.

As expected, Suarez went on to net against Moyes’ side in the next game, running towards the manager and enthusiastically diving at his feet in celebration afterwards.

Suarez went on to continue his wind-up and villain arc, famously turning to physical violence and biting his opponents.

📅 On this day, 30 years ago, Eric Cantona stunned the football world by launching a karate kick at a Crystal Palace fan during a match. pic.twitter.com/vnccwQal8Y

— Football Talk (@FootballTalkHQ) January 25, 2025

4. Eric Cantona

Arguably one of the best players to ever play in the Premier League, Eric Cantona was almost as good at mind games as he was with his feet.

A Premier League icon, Cantona was a fabulous attacker, and under the management of Sir Alex Ferguson, helped Manchester United to a number of top-flight titles.

Nevertheless, the Frenchman will synonymously be known for a moment of madness, jumping and karate kicking a fan in the crowd during a match against Crystal Palace. It’s safe to say someone must’ve had the better of Cantona in a verbal war that day.

5. Joey Barton

Now known for his off-the-pitch issues and negativity, Joey Barton was once as much of a pain to opposition players.

A composed midfielder on the ball, Barton would often be the opposition when off it, flying into tackles and losing his temper, with the Englishman receiving card after card throughout his playing career.

Stamps, headbutts, elbows, that was Barton, and you certainly would not want to play against him.

6. Neal Maupay

Despite scoring several goals in the Premier League, Neal Maupay’s time in England won't be remembered for his ability on the pitch, but for his antics on social media.

A modern-day wind-up merchant, Maupay seemed to infuriate every fan in English football, including fans of his former clubs, by tweeting: “Whenever I’m having a bad day, I check the Everton score and smile,” as he taunted Toffees fans.

The second big fish that the Frenchman caught was at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Maupay scored and celebrated, sending a subtle shot at James Maddison, by mimicking throwing a dart.

It’s safe to say that Maupay’s actions did not go down swimmingly with the Spurs midfielder, but the striker was never afraid of throwing a shot, either on social media or on the grass.

Whenever I’m having a bad day I just check the Everton score and smile 🙂

— Neal Maupay (@nealmaupay_) December 29, 2024

7. Robbie Savage

Now, as a pundit, Robbie Savage has to be careful with his words. However, he did not use to be.

Remember for his trash talk and getting under the skin of the opposition, Savage once wound up Hull City striker Dean Windass early in their game, causing the striker to reportedly lose concentration.

“Now then, fatty,” Savage certainly did not hold back.

8. Emi Martinez

A superb shot-stopper, Emi Martinez is not only the pantomime villain who stops you from scoring, but he is also the man who grinds the gears of opposition fans.

A master of mind games, especially in penalty scenarios, Martinez’s dark arts were famously a large part of Argentina’s World Cup victory in 2022, with the keeper being awarded the tournament’s Golden Glove award.

9. Richarlison

Probably the player that you would least want to face, when playing in a derby, Richarlison began his Premier League journey with Watford before moving to Everton.

Possibly one of the most disliked players in the division, the Brazilian loves getting under people’s skin, even if that means taking some heat as he struggles for form. A villain for Liverpool fans, the attacker has been criticised over the years for his smug social media posts about the Reds and showboating against Nottingham Forest.

On this day in 2009, Emmanuel Adebayor signed for Manchester City from Arsenal 🖋️

Throwback to when he pulled out this celebration after scoring against his former club 👀 pic.twitter.com/i7e4N1bhhZ

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) July 18, 2025

10. Emmanuel Adebayor

We also know the name Emmanuel Adebayor for one reason, and one reason only. That celebration. Maybe the biggest piece of ‘housery’ in Premier League history, it would not be a list of the biggest wind-ups without this man on it.

Adebayor began his journey in England with Arsenal, playing numerous seasons at the Emirates, before moving to the Etihad in 2009. However, the issue for Arsenal and Adebayor was that the striker had departed on poor terms, and when he scored against the Gunners, his emotions overcame him, with the striker running the length of the pitch to slide in front of the Arsenal fans.

Other than this incident, Adebayor didn’t do much else in terms of being a wind-up merchant, which is why he only sneaks onto this list.