10 Premier League players who have tormented their former teams

Kevin De Bruyne (right) has consistently given Chelsea trouble since his London departure.
Kevin De Bruyne (right) has consistently given Chelsea trouble since his London departure.

#5 Robin van Persie (Arsenal)

Robin van Persie (#20) and Manchester United walk out to a guard of honour by Arsenal at the Emirates.
Robin van Persie (#20) and Manchester United walk out to a guard of honour by Arsenal at the Emirates.

Robin van Persie infuriated Arsenal fans by running down his contract with the club and joining Manchester United on a cut-price deal in 2012. The Dutch forward was signed by the Gunners from Feyenoord for just £4 million in 2004.

He spent eight years with the London club, scoring 132 goals and developing into one of the finest forwards in the game. However, the club's failure to win the Premier League bothered the striker, while Arsenal fans were frustrated by his injury issues.

Despite being valued at over £40 million, Van Persie joined United for £27.5 million. He went on to score 26 league goals and provide 16 assists as the Red Devils romped to the 2012-13 league title. The season culminated with Van Persie and United travelling to the Emirates as champions. There, they were given a guard of honour by the Dutchman's former teammates.

The striker faced his former team six times during his time with the Red Devils. He went unbeaten in that stretch, winning three games, while the other three ended in draws. Van Persie scored on three different occasions against Arsenal, and did not think twice before celebrating, leaving Gunners fans unimpressed.


#4 Carlos Tevez (Manchester United)

Carlos Tevez (#32, right) vies with Manchester United's Michael Carrick.
Carlos Tevez (#32, right) vies with Manchester United's Michael Carrick.

After helping Manchester United win the Premier League and Champions League double in 2008, Carlos Tevez decided to switch allegiances a year later. The Argentine forward rejected the Red Devils' offer to match his wage demands, and he instead joined Manchester City in a £26-million move.

The manner of Tevez's departure left a bitter taste in the mouths of Red Devils fans. The striker's performances against his former team while donning the Sky Blue kit only exacerbated matters.

Tevez was a constant thorn in Manchester United's flesh, scoring four goals and providing three assists in ten games against his former team. He was only too happy to celebrate his strikes in front of the Red Devils manager, directors and fans.

Despite his stunning individual performances, Tevez finished on the losing side five times against United. The defeats included a memorable 4-3 Manchester Derby in the league and a narrow 4-3 elimination on aggregate in the 2009-10 League Cup semi-finals.


#3 Frank Lampard (West Ham United)

Frank Lampard of Chelsea vies with West Ham United's Valon Behrami.
Frank Lampard of Chelsea vies with West Ham United's Valon Behrami.

Although he is best known as one of Chelsea's greatest players, Frank Lampard made his name as a talented midfielder at West Ham United. He played 174 games for the Hammers, scoring 32 goals and providing 18 assists, before joining Chelsea for £14.5 million in 2001.

Lampard went on to establish himself as arguably the greatest goalscoring midfielder to have graced the sport, netting an astonishing 211 goals for the Blues. Out of his 648 appearances for Chelsea, 22 came against the Hammers.

Lampard emerged on top in 15 of those games, losing just three times. He scored seven goals, and provided five assists against his former employers as the Blues dominated the rivalry between the London clubs.

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