Batshuayi is internet's favourite footballer

25 September 2016 - 02:00 By The Daily Telegraph, London

Michy Batshuayi has made an immediate impact at Chelsea. The 22-year-old is slowly building a following of fans, regardless of their footballing allegiances, and it's all down to his performances online.The Belgian became Antonio Conte's first summer signing when he made a £33-million move from Marseille after Belgium's Euro 2016 exit.With Diego Costa in such fine form for the club, Batshuayi's first-team appearances have been limited. But he is already making quite a name for himself on social media.We are all too used to the banal posts from footballers on Twitter.It's become common for footballers to be mocked on social media with a familiar variety of memes and GIFs, but it's rare for a footballer to reply to the mockery.story_article_left1But Batshuayi is a refreshing break from the norm. He started in Chelsea's 4-2 win over Leicester City in the English Football League Cup on Tuesday night, spurning a number of opportunities to score.When Batshuayi had a close-range shot saved by goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler, one internet wag posted, in reference to Batshuayi's "Batsman" nickname, a meme of Batman with his head in his hands along with the caption: "Batshuayi after that miss".Clearly not one to be upstaged by an online troll, Batshuayi responded with this brilliant tweet.Yeah I saw the bat signal but the keeper didn't agree with me obviously? #leftfoot #topcorner.His cheeky retort was shared over 2000 times as fans celebrated his "unreal tweeting".Referring to himself as "Batsman", the former Olympique Marseille striker regularly replies to fans on Twitter - even when the tweets are bizarre and even lewd.Batshuayi has made four appearances for Chelsea since his move in June, all from the substitutes bench...

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.