In the high-stakes world of football, transfers can often be a tug of war between clubs, players, and agents. While clubs want to keep or sell their stars on their own terms, sometimes players take matters into their own hands — literally refusing to play in an effort to push through a transfer. This tactic, controversial and dramatic, has been employed by some of the Premier League’s most high-profile names over the years. Here’s a look at 11 players who notoriously went on strike to force a move.
1. Dimitar Berbatov – Tottenham to Manchester United
Back in 2008, Tottenham’s chairman Daniel Levy famously blocked Manchester United’s attempts to sign Dimitar Berbatov, which led the Bulgarian striker to refuse to play in a key London derby against Chelsea. The standoff became so tense that Levy complained to the Premier League about Man United’s approach — a move Sir Alex Ferguson called “embarrassing.” Eventually, Berbatov got his transfer for £30 million on deadline day, proving that sometimes, player defiance pays off.
2. Diego Costa – Chelsea to Atletico Madrid
Diego Costa’s exit from Chelsea was anything but smooth. After Antonio Conte texted him a brutal message saying he was no longer part of the team’s plans, Costa refused to return to training and stayed in Brazil, effectively going on strike. Chelsea didn’t want to sell him immediately, but eventually, Costa got his way and moved to Atletico Madrid in January 2018.
3. Dimitri Payet – West Ham to Marseille
In 2016, Dimitri Payet shocked West Ham fans by refusing to play after demanding a return to Marseille. Despite recently signing a lucrative contract, Payet publicly admitted he was “bored” of West Ham’s defensive style under Slaven Bilic and admitted frustration with the club. His refusal to play sparked controversy but ultimately resulted in a move back to France — a transfer that still divides West Ham supporters.
4. Leonardo Ulloa – Leicester City to Sunderland
Even after winning the Premier League with Leicester in 2016, Ulloa wanted out. Desperate to join Sunderland, he refused to play for the Foxes. Manager Claudio Ranieri stuck to his guns, and Ulloa had to stay put, arguably saving him from a disastrous move — Sunderland finished bottom and remained out of the Premier League for years.
5. Raheem Sterling – Liverpool to Manchester City
In 2015, Sterling’s desire to move to Manchester City was crystal clear after he rejected several contract offers from Liverpool. When the club refused to sell, Sterling refused to participate in Liverpool’s pre-season tour, essentially going on strike. His agent even publicly criticized Liverpool legends to push the deal through, which eventually happened — much to the relief of the Etihad faithful.
6. William Gallas – Chelsea to Arsenal
William Gallas’s strike tactics at Chelsea in 2006 were extreme. Frustrated over wages, he threatened manager Jose Mourinho with deliberately poor performances, including scoring own goals if forced to play. Though Mourinho’s reaction remains a mystery, Gallas eventually forced a move to Arsenal, which paved the way for the swap deal involving Ashley Cole.
7. Marcos Rojo – Sporting Lisbon to Manchester United
Rojo’s attempt to force a move in 2014 involved refusing to train at Sporting Lisbon. His former teammate Juan Sebastian Veron reportedly scolded him, warning that Manchester United wouldn’t let him “escape” easily. Rojo eventually joined United but had to wait for his debut after work permit issues related to a past legal dispute — a rocky start to a tumultuous Old Trafford career.
8. Clint Dempsey – Fulham to Tottenham
Clint Dempsey was a fan favorite at Fulham but made it clear in 2012 that he wanted out. After rumors swirled about a move to Liverpool, which never materialized, Dempsey refused to play for Fulham, angering manager Martin Jol. He eventually moved to Tottenham on deadline day, proving his strike worked in the end.
9. Sebastien Squillaci – Sevilla to Arsenal
In 2010, Squillaci refused to play in Sevilla’s Champions League qualifier, aware that playing would jeopardize his eligibility to play for Arsenal in the same competition. Unfortunately for Arsenal fans, Squillaci’s performances didn’t justify the move; he made only one Premier League appearance and is remembered as a flop.
10. Carlos Tevez – Manchester City
Carlos Tevez’s strike tactics are legendary. In 2011, he refused to come off the bench in a Champions League match against Bayern Munich, signaling his desire to leave City. After being suspended and fined, Tevez fled to Argentina and tried to force a transfer to AC Milan. When the deal collapsed, he returned to City just in time to help clinch their first Premier League title in decades.
11. Pierre van Hooijdonk – Nottingham Forest
Back in 1997, van Hooijdonk tried to force a move from Nottingham Forest by refusing to return after being told he wouldn’t leave until a high transfer fee was met. The Dutch striker was unhappy with manager Dave Bassett and sat out to force his way out, eventually moving on but leaving a bitter taste behind.
The Player Power Debate
These stories highlight the complexities of player power in football. While clubs want to protect their assets, players sometimes feel compelled to take drastic action to control their careers. Strikes and refusals to play put pressure on clubs but can also tarnish reputations and relationships.
Yet, these incidents have become part of football folklore, reminding fans that beneath the glamour and money, football is a fiercely competitive business where players fight for their futures just as much as clubs do.
Conclusion
From Dimitar Berbatov’s London derby protest to Carlos Tevez’s dramatic walkout, these 11 players show that sometimes, the only way to get what you want in football is to take a stand — or simply refuse to play. While controversial, these transfer strikes have shaped some of the Premier League’s most memorable moves and remind us that player agency remains a powerful force in modern football.
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