From Allan Saint-Maximin to Michail Antonio and Zlatan Ibrahimovic – best current footballers to follow on social media as Gary Neville blasts Man United for ‘creating robots’ and Chelsea legend John Terry takes Twitter by storm

Footballers’ use of social media has come under increasing scrutiny in recent weeks and months.

The issue highlighted is that many players do not seem to control the accounts themselves, but rather hand the keys over to PR firms who post generic messages – especially after defeats.

Getty

There has been some huge blunders over the last seven days with both Antonio Conte and Bruno Fernandes’ accounts posting things that have nothing to do with their respective clubs.

Gary Neville has hit been particularly critical of players’ social media accounts and hit out at the way Manchester United direct their stars to act.

The eight-time Premier League winner was reacting to an interview clip shared of United’s CEO of media Phil Lynch talking about how the club send players fan sentiment graphs twice daily.

He replied: “Creating Robots on and off the pitch! Get the f@@k away from them. It’s a football club. He makes controlling fans sound like he’s trying to win a general election!”

talkSPORT host Jamie O’Hara called on more players to look after their own social media accounts.

He said: “Unless you are Ronaldo and have 120million followers, just look after your own Instagram or Twitter. You are a grown adult.”

Chelsea legend John Terry has taken to Twitter like a duck to water but there are plenty of current footballers who appear to write their own posts on social media though…

10.) Andy Robertson

Since joining from Hull in 2017, the Scotland international has become a Premier League and Champions League winner.

The 27-year-old appears to be the funny man in the Liverpool in the dressing room and his Twitter bio reads: “I play football, avoid the sun and put crosses in.”

talkSPORT thinks he’s playing that last part down, though, considering how valuable those assists have become!

9.) Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan is certainly a maverick and that unashamed arrogance certainly comes across on social media.

The forward is still playing at the top level at 40 years old and has starred for AC Milan.

He’s not afraid of letting people know just how good he is and it makes for great content.

8.) Declan Rice

The West Ham midfielder has been sensational this season on the pitch and has been the driving force behind the club’s success.

While many of his Euro 2020 teammates have suffered a bit of a hangover, Rice has gone from strength to strength.

His social media accounts are good fun too and he does a good job interacting with fans.

7.) Aymeric Laporte

The centre-back has been a vital part of Pep Guardiola’s recent success at Man City, helping the club win three Premier League titles.

He has played 122 times for City and a big fan favourite – and quite the joker on social media.

Laporte changed his name on social media to ‘Eric’ because one fan thought that was his name.

6.) James Milner

For a long time, the parody ‘Boring James Milner’ account was one of the best to follow on Twitter. 

Then the Liverpool man joined the platform himself and outdid the parody.

His self-deprecating posts and dry sense of humour make for a brilliant follow.

5.) Marten De Roon

The Atalanta midfielder, and Dutch international, clearly runs his own social media account.

The 30-year-old doesn’t take himself too seriously and is one of the funniest footballers out there.

4.) Cesc Fabregas

The Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona hero is very open and honest in his social media posts and loves to connect with the fans.

He regularly hosts Q&A sessions, which can throw up some brilliant answers.

3.) Michy Batshuayi

The striker has been somewhat of a journeyman ever since joining Chelsea, going out to four different clubs on loan.

But he has continued to provide plenty of entertainment over the years on his social media accounts.

Whether that be poking fun at his own FIFA ratings, highlighting Phil Jones’ hilarious face or making light of the time he kicked the ball in his own face – it’s worth following.

2.) Michail Antonio

The West Ham striker has gone from strength to strength over the last couple of seasons and is the club’s talisman.

He has bagged plenty of goals and is also a nightmare to play against.

Antonio doesn’t take things too seriously and has been know to have brilliant post-match interviews.

His social media accounts are great value, too.

1.) Allan Saint-Maximin

Saint-Maximin has fast established himself as a fan favourite at Newcastle thanks to his flair and skill on the pitch.

While the club may have struggled in recent times, the forward has been a glimmer of hope.

There’s a lot to like about the Frenchman and his posts on social media make it hard to hate him (unless you are a Sunderland fan).