The departure of a key player is always a bitter pill to swallow for supporters, but watching said name leave for a fierce rival is almost impossible to stomach.
Even given the tribalism that surrounds Premier League football there has been more than a fair share of names to have changed loyalties and crossed divides throughout the division’s history, whether it be for local rivals, direct competitors, or even both.
The sour taste left after a former fan favourite adorns rival colours only intensifies if it is then followed by silverware and success, with a number of Premier League sides having been left with huge regret after sanctioning sales.
Here are five times Premier League teams regretted letting players join rival clubs.
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