{"id":657277,"date":"2025-07-26T02:00:04","date_gmt":"2025-07-26T06:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=657277"},"modified":"2025-07-25T18:06:04","modified_gmt":"2025-07-25T22:06:04","slug":"lazy-premier-league-players-relaxed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2025\/07\/26\/lazy-premier-league-players-relaxed\/","title":{"rendered":"Were These &#8216;Lazy&#8217; Premier League Players Just Exceedingly Relaxed?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"relative\">\n<div class=\"prose text-pretty dark:prose-invert inline leading-normal break-words min-w-0 [word-break:break-word]\">\n<p class=\"my-0\">Certain Premier League players have become notorious for being <em>perceived as lazy<\/em>\u2014either through a visibly laid-back style, a reluctance to track back, public comments from managers or teammates, or poor effort in training. However, it&#8217;s crucial to distinguish between <strong>genuine laziness<\/strong> and <strong>nonchalance<\/strong> or a <em>composed, relaxed playing style<\/em>. Below is an exploration of some of the most commonly cited \u201clazy\u201d players, how this reputation formed, and whether their \u201claziness\u201d hindered or, paradoxically, enhanced their footballing legacy.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"\" class=\"mb-2 mt-6 text-base font-[500] first:mt-0 md:text-lg dark:font-[475] [hr+&amp;]:mt-4\"><strong>Premier League Players Known for Laziness<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><a id=\"5UfiOTXBQRJ3lbNVXb0Sag\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2170003770\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'5UfiOTXBQRJ3lbNVXb0Sag',sig:'uv06333MD7U1Oa2i4bQ02JD34vnPRqmBwFquO7-dmvM=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2170003770',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"mb-xs mt-5 text-base font-[500] first:mt-0 dark:font-[475]\"><strong>1. Dimitar Berbatov<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul class=\"marker:text-textOff list-disc\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"my-0\"><strong>Clubs:<\/strong> Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Fulham<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"my-0\"><strong>Reputation:<\/strong> Berbatov\u2019s elegant and laconic approach infuriated some supporters and baffled others. His tendency to stroll around the pitch, seemingly uninterested in pressing or defensive duties, earned him constant accusations of laziness.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"my-0\"><strong>What set Berbatov apart<\/strong> was that his \u201claziness\u201d often translated into brilliance\u2014a superb first touch, precise finishing, and a unique ability to dictate play. Berbatov himself addressed the criticism: &#8220;You know when someone has great qualities they don&#8217;t have to put much effort into things&#8221;<span class=\"whitespace-nowrap\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"my-0\"><strong>Our Insight:<\/strong> Even former teammate and opponent Brede Hangeland placed Berbatov in his \u201cLazy XI,\u201d noting the Bulgarian\u2019s lack of willingness to do \u201cthe dirty work\u201d<span class=\"whitespace-nowrap\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"mb-xs mt-5 text-base font-[500] first:mt-0 dark:font-[475]\"><strong>2. Emmanuel Adebayor<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul class=\"marker:text-textOff list-disc\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"my-0\"><strong>Clubs:<\/strong> Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"my-0\"><strong>Reputation:<\/strong> Emmanuel Adebayor drew criticism from fans and teammates alike for his inconsistency and lack of application, especially off the ball. Brede Hangeland\u2019s anecdotes about Adebayor skipping gym work in favor of coffee breaks cemented the striker\u2019s reputation as a \u201cluxury player\u201d\u2014one brilliant moment, then minutes of aimless wandering<span class=\"whitespace-nowrap\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"my-0\"><strong>Notable Anecdote:<\/strong> Hangeland recalls marking Adebayor during a match, only to have Adebayor start talking about being hungry and ask for restaurant recommendations mid-game<span class=\"whitespace-nowrap\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"mb-xs mt-5 text-base font-[500] first:mt-0 dark:font-[475]\"><strong>3. Mesut \u00d6zil<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul class=\"marker:text-textOff list-disc\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"my-0\"><strong>Clubs:<\/strong> Arsenal<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"my-0\"><strong>Reputation:<\/strong> Exhibited extraordinary vision and technical ability but was frequently criticized for not \u2018putting in a shift\u2019\u2014rarely sprinting back or showing physical intensity, especially in high-pressure matches. <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2021\/01\/12\/mesut-ozil-a-modern-icon-of-the-emirates-era\/\" target=\"_self\">Mesut <span class=\"whitespace-nowrap\">\u00d6<\/span>zil&#8217;s languid style<\/a> led to persistent accusations of being disinterested or lazy, especially when contrasted with teammates renowned for their work rate<span class=\"whitespace-nowrap\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"my-0\"><strong>Fan Debate:<\/strong> Fans are divided; some argue his \u201cnonchalance\u201d is mistaken for laziness, others recall matches where he appeared to vanish, especially on defense<span class=\"whitespace-nowrap\">. \u00d6zil will always be a divisive player in the Arsenal fanbase, with some choosing to see his brilliance while others questioning his work ethic.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"mb-xs mt-5 text-base font-[500] first:mt-0 dark:font-[475]\"><strong>4. Eden Hazard<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><a id=\"m8aoDdJxS5ZTl-f8hQWuew\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1146882196\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'m8aoDdJxS5ZTl-f8hQWuew',sig:'lcrcmVlG4YvfI-pE_qxWxrk5Zu_HDKAC2-Hr14JoDXE=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1146882196',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<ul class=\"marker:text-textOff list-disc\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"my-0\"><strong>Clubs:<\/strong> Chelsea<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"my-0\"><strong>Reputation:<\/strong> At his peak, Hazard was the most feared dribbler in the league. However, stories of poor training habits, a lack of defensive effort, and weight issues during his time at Chelsea and especially after his move to Real Madrid led to accusations that he simply \u201cdidn\u2019t want it enough.\u201d Even while dominating matches, pundits noted he rarely chased back, preferring to save energy for attacking bursts<span class=\"whitespace-nowrap\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"my-0\"><strong>Legacy:<\/strong> While his brilliance has never been in question, Hazard\u2019s perceived lack of professionalism may have limited the heights of his career<span class=\"whitespace-nowrap\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"mb-xs mt-5 text-base font-[500] first:mt-0 dark:font-[475]\"><strong>5. Matt Le Tissier<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul class=\"marker:text-textOff list-disc\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"my-0\"><strong>Clubs:<\/strong> Southampton<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"my-0\"><strong>Reputation:<\/strong> A club legend with outstanding technical skills, Le Tissier was infamous for his aversion to hard running, defensive duties, or the gym. Even he admitted to cheating on fitness runs in his autobiography. Rather than a flaw, fans often embraced his laziness as part of his legend, since his moments of magic justified the lack of \u201cindustry\u201d<span class=\"whitespace-nowrap\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"mb-xs mt-5 text-base font-[500] first:mt-0 dark:font-[475]\"><strong>6. Tanguy Ndombele<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul class=\"marker:text-textOff list-disc\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"my-0\"><strong>Clubs:<\/strong> Tottenham Hotspur<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"my-0\"><strong>Reputation:<\/strong> Highly talented and physically powerful, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2022\/01\/09\/tottenham-hotspur-looking-to-offload-tanguy-ndombele-this-month\/\" target=\"_self\">Tanguy Ndombele<\/a> dazzled at times with his ability to glide through midfield, but exasperated managers and supporters with apparent indifference both on the pitch and in training. He frequently played at a jogging pace, failing to track runners or assert himself off the ball<span class=\"whitespace-nowrap\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"my-0\"><strong>Outcome:<\/strong> Eventually marginalized by management, seen as too much of a defensive liability due to his lack of work rate<span class=\"whitespace-nowrap\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"mb-xs mt-5 text-base font-[500] first:mt-0 dark:font-[475]\"><strong>7. Nwankwo Kanu<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul class=\"marker:text-textOff list-disc\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"my-0\"><strong>Clubs:<\/strong> Arsenal, Portsmouth, West Bromwich Albion<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"my-0\"><strong>Reputation:<\/strong> Kanu\u2019s play was renowned for its relaxed, almost slow-motion style. Stats once showed he covered less ground than his own goalkeeper in a match, fueling perceptions of laziness. Still, his intelligence and knack for goals meant managers often forgave the lack of effort<span class=\"whitespace-nowrap\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"mb-xs mt-5 text-base font-[500] first:mt-0 dark:font-[475]\"><strong>8. Andrei Arshavin<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><a id=\"FPXns_isSn5U_KyCye1WtQ\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/109791022\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'FPXns_isSn5U_KyCye1WtQ',sig:'PQMTH7789ysJbw6PdksMztpCDLWDFkTQv11AZnU79jg=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'109791022',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<ul class=\"marker:text-textOff list-disc\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"my-0\"><strong>Clubs:<\/strong> Arsenal<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"my-0\"><strong>Reputation:<\/strong> Initially brilliant, Andrei Arshavin\u2019s commitment waned as his time in England progressed. Fans and pundits noted his tendency to drift out of games and avoid tracking back, often walking in moments when more exertion was required<span class=\"whitespace-nowrap\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"mb-xs mt-5 text-base font-[500] first:mt-0 dark:font-[475]\"><strong>9. Other Notables<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul class=\"marker:text-textOff list-disc\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"my-0\"><strong>Carlos Tevez:<\/strong> Despite being a tireless striker at his best, Tevez was at times accused by managers of downing tools, especially when his relationship with clubs soured<span class=\"whitespace-nowrap\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"my-0\"><strong>Ricardo Quaresma and Robinho:<\/strong> Both wingers possessed immense flair but little interest in consistently helping their teams without the ball, leading to brief, unremarkable spells in the Premier League<span class=\"whitespace-nowrap\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Art &amp; Beauty Of The Lazy Superstar.\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xBctz7b1G7k?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"\" class=\"mb-2 mt-6 text-base font-[500] first:mt-0 md:text-lg dark:font-[475] [hr+&amp;]:mt-4\"><strong>Artistic Genius Vs. Laziness<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p class=\"my-0\">It\u2019s important to note that for many of these players, the line between genius and perceived laziness is fine:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"marker:text-textOff list-disc\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"my-0\"><strong>Berbatov, Le Tissier, \u00d6zil, and Hazard<\/strong> were match-winners, capable of magic in a moment\u2014the luxury of not pressing constantly, some argued, allowed them to conserve energy for attacking brilliance.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"my-0\"><strong>Fan and managerial perceptions<\/strong> are deeply subjective. Some fans appreciate a \u201cnonchalant\u201d style as part of a genius\u2019 mystique; others see it as damaging to team ethic<span class=\"whitespace-nowrap\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"my-0\"><strong>Changing football philosophies:<\/strong> The modern Premier League emphasizes high pressing and intense work rate, making so-called \u201clazy\u201d players less tolerated today than in previous decades<span class=\"whitespace-nowrap\"><a class=\" mr-[2px] citation ml-xs inline\" href=\"https:\/\/www.planetfootball.com\/latest\/best-rock-n-stroll-lazy-brilliant-footballers-berbatov-messi-riquelme\" target=\"_blank\" data-state=\"closed\" aria-label=\"7 of the best &#039;rock &#039;n&#039; stroll&#039; footballers who were brilliant at being lazy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"relative select-none whitespace-nowrap align-middle -top-px font-sans text-base text-textMain selection:bg-super\/50 selection:text-textMain dark:selection:bg-super\/10 dark:selection:text-super\"><span class=\"min-w-[1rem] cursor-pointer rounded-[0.3125rem] text-center align-middle font-mono text-[0.6rem] tabular-nums py-[0.1875rem] px-[0.3rem] hover:bg-super dark:hover:text-backgroundDark cursor-pointer hover:text-white border-borderMain\/50 ring-borderMain\/50 divide-borderMain\/50 dark:divide-borderMainDark\/50 dark:ring-borderMainDark\/50 dark:border-borderMainDark\/50 bg-offsetPlus\">3<\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span> What was once accepted as composure or class is now scrutinized as a lack of contribution to the collective effort.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"\" class=\"mb-2 mt-6 text-base font-[500] first:mt-0 md:text-lg dark:font-[475] [hr+&amp;]:mt-4\"><strong>Debates and Defensive Arguments<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p class=\"my-0\">Some players, such as \u00d6zil and Berbatov, have publicly defended their style, arguing that their cerebral approach means they \u201cwork smarter, not harder,\u201d reading the game and acting decisively instead of running unnecessarily<span class=\"whitespace-nowrap\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"my-0\">Critics counter that in elite football, <em>every player must contribute both offensively and defensively<\/em>. As pressing systems dominate, the archetype of the \u201cluxury player\u201d is disappearing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"my-0\">Fan debates on forums continue to weigh \u201clazy\u201d genius against hard-working mediocrity, illustrating the deep divide on what makes a great Premier League footballer<span class=\"whitespace-nowrap\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"\" class=\"mb-2 mt-6 text-base font-[500] first:mt-0 md:text-lg dark:font-[475] [hr+&amp;]:mt-4\"><strong>Conclusion and Legacy<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p class=\"my-0\">The so-called lazy Premier League player is a divisive figure. Some, like Berbatov and Le Tissier, are fondly remembered as cult heroes whose brilliance justified their lack of hustle. Others, like Ndombele and Adebayor, are seen as unfulfilled talents who cost their teams dearly. The enduring debate reflects football\u2019s evolution\u2014and nostalgia for a time when one moment of magic could excuse ninety minutes of minimal movement<span class=\"whitespace-nowrap\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"my-0\">Ultimately, \u201claziness\u201d in football is both a criticism and, sometimes, a badge of artistry. The Premier League\u2019s history is richer for the gifted nonconformists who confounded fans and opponents alike.<\/p>\n<p>Main image credit: <strong class=\"tw-ml-1\">IMAGO \/\u00a0PA Images<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Certain Premier League players have become notorious for being perceived as lazy\u2014either through a visibly laid-back style, a reluctance to track back, public comments from managers or teammates, or poor effort in training. However, it&#8217;s crucial to distinguish between genuine laziness and nonchalance or a composed, relaxed playing style. Below is an exploration of some [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":657278,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3,8,1278,11,1267,24],"tags":[571,563,1283,5509,473,1424,1823],"class_list":["post-657277","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-premier-league","category-arsenal","category-arsenalhistory","category-chelsea","category-newcastle-united","category-tottenham","tag-dimitar-berbatov","tag-eden-hazard","tag-emmanuel-adeybayor","tag-matt-le-tissier","tag-mesut-ozil","tag-nwankwo-kanu","tag-tanguy-ndombele"],"modified_by":"Michael Kovacs, ADMIN","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/657277","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=657277"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/657277\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":657281,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/657277\/revisions\/657281"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/657278"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=657277"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=657277"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=657277"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}