15. Christian Ziege
Between 1999 and 2004, Ziege played for Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, and Middlesbrough in the Premier League. He was a technically proficient left-back who was notable for his skill with the ball and strong free kicks. In 2001, Ziege and Liverpool won the League Cup, but his potential was constrained by injuries.
14. Thomas Hitzlsperger
Hitzlsperger, who was nicknamed “Der Hammer” for his thunderous left foot, made his Premier League debut between 2000 and 2013 at Aston Villa, West Ham, and Everton. The midfielder’s ability to score from a distance was admired. Even now, he is still a cult favorite, particularly at Villa Park.
13. Uwe Rösler
In the mid-1990s, Rösler played for Manchester City for three seasons before briefly joining Southampton. He was a smart and industrious striker who won over City’s supporters with his goals during crucial games. Rösler’s influence was indisputable, despite the fact that his tenure fell during a difficult time for the team. Later, as a well-respected manager, he went back to playing English football.
11. Pascal Groß
Groß arrived quietly but left as a Brighton legend after being signed from Ingolstadt in 2017 for a low cost. During the Seagulls’ ascent in the Premier League, the adaptable midfielder was largely responsible for their offensive play. Groß established himself as a model of consistency with his deft passing, astute movement, and goal-oriented vision. His Premier League legacy is one of underappreciated brilliance after seven seasons and more than 200 appearances (per Transfermarket).
10. Kai Havertz
According to the BBC, Havertz arrived at Chelsea in 2020 for more than £70 million ($90 million/€76 million) from Bayer Leverkusen, carrying a great deal of expectation. He scored the game-winning goal in the 2021 Champions League final, cementing his place in club history despite his erratic early Premier League play. He has rebranded himself as a dedicated, versatile attacker at Arsenal. Havertz’s Premier League career is far from over, as he is still only in his mid-20s.
9. Dietmar Hamann
In 1998, Hamann moved from Bayern Munich to Newcastle, but he really flourished at Liverpool. He was the quiet enforcer in a team that won the FA Cup, League Cup, and the storied 2005 Champions League, where his halftime introduction matched the Reds’ comeback from a 3-0 deficit. He was tactically wise and composed under duress.
8. Per Mertesacker
Some wondered if Mertesacker’s lack of speed would be revealed when Arsenal acquired him from Werder Bremen in 2011. Rather, during a time of transition, the 6′ 6″ center-back emerged as a crucial figurehead for the team. Despite playing very little during the season, he led Arsenal to FA Cup glory in 2017 with a masterclass in the final. He was appointed manager of Arsenal Academy after retiring.
7. Antonio Rüdiger
Rüdiger brought raw talent and a fierce physical edge to Chelsea from Roma in 2017. He was inconsistent at first, but under Thomas Tuchel, he developed into one of the league’s most dominant defenders. Because of his straightforward demeanor and quirky nature, Rüdiger became a fan favorite and played a key role in Chelsea’s 2021 Champions League victory.
6. Jens Lehmann
When Jens Lehmann joined Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund in 2003, he was given the difficult responsibility of taking David Seaman’s place. As a crucial member of the Gunners’ illustrious Invincibles squad, he responded by going undefeated in his debut Premier League season. Lehmann was always entertaining to watch because of his eccentricity and fierce competitiveness.
5. Jürgen Klinsmann
Concerns were raised about Klinsmann’s diving prowess and star power when Tottenham acquired him from AS Monaco in 1994. He quickly silenced his detractors by scoring goals with style and charm and winning over supporters with that self-aware dive celebration. According to Transfermarkt, he scored 20 league goals in a single season and won the 1995 FWA Footballer of the Year award. Spurs’ cult hero status was cemented in 1997–1998 with a brief but thrilling comeback.
4. Mesut Özil
A new era under Arsène Wenger began in 2013 when Özil joined Arsenal from Real Madrid for a club record fee. In addition to winning four FA Cups, breaking assist records, and bringing glamour and guile back to the Emirates, his vision, inventiveness, and effortless class lit up the Premier League. If it weren’t for his subsequent decline and unabated charges of indolence, Özil would undoubtedly rank higher on this list.
3. Robert Huth
Huth was straightforward, ruthless, and intelligent; he wasn’t showy. He joined Chelsea as a teenager and played in the early rebuilding under Abramovich, helping the team win two league titles. With his aerial prowess, crunching tackles, and no-nonsense style, he went on to quietly establish himself as one of the league’s most reliable center-backs at Middlesbrough and Stoke City.
Few people anticipated that Huth would be in the middle of another title race by 2015, much less win it. He and Wes Morgan, however, were the defensive pillars of Leicester City’s incredible 2015–16 campaign, adding experience and bite to a back line that defied all expectations. According to Transfermarkt, he participated in 35 of 38 games that season, scoring important goals and stopping top attackers. One of the greatest underdog stories in English football is Huth’s journey from a reliable professional to a three-time Premier League champion.
2. Michael Ballack
Ballack brought his elite pedigree to Chelsea when he joined on a free transfer from Bayern Munich in 2006. He offered leadership, tactical insight, and midfield goals as he swiftly adjusted to the tempo and physicality of the Premier League. He formed a strong midfield with Michael Essien and Frank Lampard, winning the Premier League, three FA Cups, and a League Cup in four seasons.
Ballack was almost always the smartest player on the field, despite never being the most showy. He managed the pace, scored significant goals, and came through in pivotal situations. Even though Chelsea’s attacking players frequently stole the show, he made a huge contribution to their supremacy. A game master who made winning seem like a given.
1. İlkay Gündoğan
Gündoğan, who was Pep Guardiola’s first City acquisition after joining from Dortmund in 2016, became the quiet engine of Manchester City’s most prosperous period. He scored crucial goals, including game-winning braces in two championship games, and transitioned from a deep-lying playmaker to a goal-scoring leader. He was equally elegant and intelligent. After winning five Premier League titles, Gündoğan took a brief break in 2023 and returned in 2024 to carry on his legacy.
In star-studded lineups, Gündoğan was frequently left out, but when it counted, Guardiola trusted him the most. With goals that sealed trophies, he epitomized the term “clutch” as captain of City during their 2022–2023 treble-winning season. Because of his timing as well as his skill, Gündoğan is the only German to have made a significant contribution to the Premier League.