Being a mega-rich Premier League footballer does have its downsides, believe it or not.
While players are earning between five and six-figure sums a week, they are big targets for crime.
Fortunately, though, it is only a very limited and unlucky few who suffer the distress and horror of being burgled, robbed or, in Jordon Ibe’s case, threatened at knifepoint.
According to Sky Sports, Ibe was allegedly robbed just four days after West Ham striker Andy Carroll was held at gunpoint at the beginning of the month, on return to his Essex home following training.
It has been revealed that Bournemouth’s record signing, who joined the club this summer, was robbed after his car was rammed – being held at knifepoint and forced to hand over his £25,000 Rolex watch.
The incident occurred at around 1.45pm on November 6, near Surrey Quays underground station, with Scotland Yard detectives now investigating the attack which has raised an alarm for Premier League players up and down the country.
A Met Police spokesman revealed: “One of the suspects threatened the victim with a knife before stealing his watch. The victim was not injured.
“At this early stage, officers are investigating whether the suspects intentionally collided with the victim’s car.”
But November’s incidents aren’t new for Premier League players, who have been subject to attacks on themselves and their homes for well over the past decade.
There have been numerous crimes against footballers up and down the country, including burglaries on the homes of Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, down the years.
Rooney’s parents’ home was burgled in July 2006, while Gerrard’s home also came under attack in December 2007.
And those were two of a spate of burglaries on players in the north west of England, including Liverpool trio Jerzy Dudek, Peter Crouch and Daniel Agger.
Former Everton striker Duncan Ferguson was left with no choice to punch a burglar in the face, in 2003, after the attacker attempted to hit him on the head with a bottle of vodka – just two years after having to sit on a thief until the police arrived.
While Everton defender Phil Jagielka and his friends were confronted by a gang of burglars at his home, who threatened the England international with knives before speeding off in his wife’s Range Rover, with cash, jewellery, two Rolex watches and a Breitling diamond watch.
This month’s incidents in the south east, though, will serve as a reminder to Premier League players up and down the country to be aware of the risks they face, with Chelsea duo Ashley Cole and Lampard having previously had their London homes targeted.