Best footy hairstyles 2016

Radamel Falcao

The forgotten man of Jose Mourinho’s nightmare season at Chelsea, Falcao has upped his hair game even as his actual game suffered, moving from his former 90s centre parting to a more textured look.

‘He has kept the top long enough to sweep back and gone for a short, tight taper on the back and sides,’ explains Brady. ‘This is good for those with square faces, as it emphasises the masculine bone structure. Apply a paste to damp hair with your hands and rake through with your fingers for hold and shine.’

Marcin Wasilewski

A Premier League champion at 35, Wasilewski is a man with plenty to feel good about. Add to that list being a solid exponent of the skin fade.

‘Wasilewski’s overall look works well for him,’ says Brady. ‘Which is good, as I wouldn't want to break bad news to this guy. The contrast of a textured crop on top with a tight fade on the sides complements the perfectly groomed beard, the length of which perfectly accentuates his bone structure. This look is good for those with finer hair on top. Apply a clay or a texturising dust to the roots and mess around with your fingers.’

Jan Vertonghen

The Spurs vice-captain missed out on the Premier League trophy but, if it’s any consolation, sports one of the smartest and most adaptable dos in football.

‘Vertonghen’s hairstyle is a perfect way to transition from football pitch to summer garden party,’ says Brady. ‘He has kept enough length on the sides to push it towards his ears. The whole cut is scissored, creating texture, and uses the natural wave of the hair to direct its flow. A soft side parting can be styled in with a comb or just with your hands. To dry your hair, apply a pomade with a small amount of paste (this is good for extra hold). Rake through from the roots with your hands and push backwards. This looks is good for those with longer or more triangular faces.’

Nicolás Otamendi

Definitely the most ‘out there’ choice on this list, Man City’s £32million man may aspire to be a defensive rock on the pitch but, in the hair department, he’s all erratic flair.

‘Full points to his barber for exploring their creative license,’ says Brady. ‘Otamendi is sporting a half buzz cut, half textured crop – both of which are great, but tricky to pull off at the same time. What saves him here is his beard length – it has elongated his otherwise square face.’

Mile Jedinak

Alan Pardew’s on-pitch Aussie general can reflect on an inconsistent season for his Crystal Palace team, but in the hair stakes, he’s been reliably solid.

‘Another beard/hair combination – but this time with an easy-to-manage hairstyle,’ says Brady. ‘It’s simply a short back and sides, all scissor cut, kept even all the way around. The focus here is on the beard, which Jedinak has grown out wisely, covering up a pointy chin. This has given extra weight to the bottom half of his face, resulting in a square, masculine silhouette. To maintain the beard, get it tidied up every three or four weeks and apply a beard oil to the roots once a day (this will condition the skin and nourish the hairs).’

Jürgen Klopp

Finally, the Premier League’s most charismatic manager has proved that style doesn’t start or end with the men kicking the balls.

‘Football manager by day and Jaime Lannister by night, Klopp is gifted with thick straight hair, which you can push in every direction,’ says Brady. ‘Apply a paste to the roots and mix with a small amount of texturising dust. Push around with your fingers for a dramatic look. Grow a bit of stubble (salt and pepper works a dream) to look a bit less Prince Charming and a bit more Kingslayer.’