I don't know why I have a bad reputation - Adebayor

London - Emmanuel Adebayor feels he has unfairly been given a 'bad reputation' in the Premier League and still hopes to make a return to England's top flight. 

The 32-year-old is currently captaining Togo at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.

A former Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham marksman, Adebayor is without a club after he was released by Crystal Palace at the end of last season.

But he still feels he has what it takes to play in the Premier League and hopes to make a return.

"I love England, love the Premier League and want to find a way to get back there," he told the Guardian. 

"I want to hit the top level again, that's for sure. If not, I just want to play football and have fun, so if I get an offer somewhere then I'll go," he said.

Adebayor believes the media have unfairly painted him in a negative light.

"I have a bad reputation in England and I don't know why," he said. "Maybe it's something that has just followed me. But one thing I always say is that 90% of the people I've played with would say I'm an amazing guy, a great team-mate.

"Other people, those who work on the gate at every stadium I've played at, will tell you I am a humble guy and a nice person. But the press will say what they want, and in my career I've been unfortunate enough to have a lot of negativity."

Adebayor despite being perplexed at his bad reputation has been involved in a number of controversies while playing in England such as celebrating in front of Arsenal fans when scoring against his former team for Tottenham Hotspur.

Pochetinno's men who are arguably the form team in the league next face a mouth-watering fixture against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Kick off is at 19:30.