Back in the day Ashley Cole was given dogs’ abuse for going from Arsenal to Chelsea, but there just seems to be no proper animosity now from fans towards former players. Cech, David Luiz, Giroud and now Havertz have all gone to the other side, but no one really seems to care and all those listed seem to still be well respected by their former club (apart from Havertz, who no one seems to care about either way).
Why has this rivalry died off? Arsenal and Tottenham players would never transfer to each other, nor Man United players to city or liverpool etc.
Mainly because Cole is a Snake. But it was also when Rivalries were so big that the players wouldn’t interact on international duty.
Nowadays fans understand that football is a business and if it’s the club that decides to let the player go, then there is little animosity.
However, when it’s the player who pushes for the move then that’s when there is animosity. See Alexis, RVP, Nasri and Fabregas.