Top German players in Premier League history

Germany is one of the International superpowers and the country develops lots of potential stars over and over, while only a small handful of the greatest players in the region have opted to take their chances in the British soccer League.

However as the power of the Bundesliga ensures that only a handful of the Germans move overseas, we are looking back at some of the famous names that have left an impact on the Premier League, those who will be regarded as top German players in EPL history.

A strong league that has been home to great footballers from all over the planet, and we saw star players making their name in English football.

wants to see their greatest players compete in Bundesliga As a matter of fact

always aims to purchase the best of them, leaving few options for the other European leagues to pick from.

Given the small possible list of German superstars to pick from, we're looking at the list of

top German players in Premier League history

. In this article, no international careers but the

career of a footballer will be taken into account. Therefore namely likes of legendary  Bastian Schweinsteiger will miss out. Yet current footballers will be taken into account as well.

Top German players in Premier League history

Here is a look at the list of Top German players in Premier League history.

Jens Lehmann

• Date of birth

  : Nov 10, 1969

• Place of birth

  : Essen  Germany

• Age

  : 50

• Height

  : 1,90 m

• Citizenship

  : Germany

• Position

  : Goalkeeper

• Foot

  : right

• Current club

  : Retired

Let's begin our list with statistics that will shock you. After playing his first senior game for

in 1988, Jens Lehmann started his career spanning 23 years. During two phases, he spent 5 years of his career with Arsenal in the PL.

He signed with Arsenal in 2003/04 before their invincible campaign. During the league season, Lehman was a key figure in the undefeated squad and named himself as one of the top German players in Premier League history.

Lehman beautifully filled the gap left by David Seaman. He had a good 2005/06 campaign playing his 100th Arsenal game and went on a phenomenal streak of clean sheets with going 853 minutes without a goal in the UCL.

In 2008, Lehmann finally left Arsenal to go back to Germany. After three years in 2011, he joined

once again coming out of retirement to improve the team in a catastrophic period with injuries in their goalkeeping ranks.

Back in his prime, Lehmann was one of the greatest keepers of his era in the Premier League who had a powerful character along with a fantastic passing ability to complete his efficient goalkeeping skills. He played 148 games in the Premier League with 54 clean sheets and won the Premier League trophy along with the FA Cup in 2005.

Thomas Helmer

• Date of birth

  : Apr 21, 1965

• Place of birth

  : Herford  Germany

• Age

  : 55

• Height

  : 1.85 m

• Citizenship

  : Germany

• Position

  : Defender - Centre-Back

• Foot

  : right

• Current club

  : Retired

While Thomas Helmer experienced a long career in Bundesliga, it is often overlooked that he enjoyed a short period at Sunderland in the Premier League, and still, he could be considered as one of the

top German players in Premier League history

. 

At the age of 34, the sweeper transferred to the newly-promoted Premier League club after tenures at Bielefeld, Dortmund, and Bayern. Until being loaned to

, he played only two games and he retired at the end of his stint in Berlin. 

However, ahead of joining

, the defender spent impressive years, lifting the 1996 European Championship, UEFA Cup, 3 Bundesliga titles, and 2 DFB-Pokal titles.

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Markus Babbel

• Date of birth

  : Sep 8, 1972

• Place of birth

  : Munchen  Germany

• Age

  : 48

• Height

  : 1,91 m

• Citizenship

  : Germany

• Position

  : Defender - Centre-Back

• Foot

  : right

• Current club

  : Retired

Marcus Babbel, who enjoyed a four-year career with Liverpool from 2000 to 2004, is a former German right-back. The player was a versatile defender who was able to play as a right-back or center-back. The German defender helped Liverpool to win the UEFA Cup in 2001 and he is known as one of the best German players in Premier League history.

At the point when he was a member of the glorious German squad that won the cup, he made England upset at Euro 96 as well. Only one football campaign he became unnecessary at Anfield and he spent on loan at

which is the only serious blemish on his resume.

Christian Ziege

• Date of birth

  : Feb 1, 1972

• Place of birth

  : Berlin  Germany

• Age

  : 48

• Height

  : 1,86 m

• Citizenship

  : Germany

• Position

  : Midfielder - Left Midfield

• Foot

  : left

• Current club

  : Retired

Christian Ziege is undoubtedly one of the greatest German left-backs of all time and one of the Premier League's best ever German players. He spent 5 years playing for Middlesbrough, Liverpool, and

in Premier League.

Ziege played in more than 90 Premier League games, leading Liverpool to win the League Cup in 2001. It is fair to say that he spent also great years of his football career back home in Germany, winning two

championships with Bayern Munich and the Scudetto with Milan in 1999. Christian Ziege is presently FC Pinzgau's manager.

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Robert Huth

• Date of birth

  : Aug 18, 1984

• Place of birth

  : Berlin  DDR

• Age

  : 36

• Height

  : 1,91 m

• Citizenship

  : Germany

• Position

  : Defender - Centre-Back

• Foot

  : right

• Current club

  : Retired

With 326 games, Robert Huth is the German footballer with the most Premier League appearances and is regarded as one of the greatest German footballers in premier league history. Due to signing with

at the youth level in 2001, he never played in Bundesliga at the senior level.

Shortly after playing his first game on the final day of the 2001/02 campaign in a close game at home losing against Aston Villa, he broke into the Chelsea senior side. 

Throughout the years, Huth was a regular in the Premier League. From 2009 until 2015, he played for Middlesbrough for three campaigns, becoming a key figure in the core of

's defensive line. After a season on loan, he then finally transferred to Leicester City.

It was a move that brought Huth his greatest period in England. In the 2015/16 campaign, Huth was a crucial player of the renowned

squad that ended up winning the Premier League. That year, he started most of their matches and along with Wes Morgan built up a strong center-back relationship.

The German defender scored 21 goals during his 326 league matches in the league and managed to keep 82 clean sheets. Huth won three Premier League titles with Leicester and two with the Blues. Huth has been retired from the game since January 2019.

Per Mertesacker

• Date of birth

  : Sep 29, 1984

• Place of birth

  : Hannover  Germany

• Age

  : 36

• Height

  : 2,00 m

• Citizenship

  : Germany

• Position

  : Defender - Centre-Back

• Foot

  : right

• Current club

  : Retired

The tall center-back spent 7 seasons making over 156 matches for Arsenal in North London. Mertesacker's reading of the play, while not the most beautiful defender to watch, was second to none, and if he wouldn't continue with Gunners, then he would certainly have won a league trophy anywhere in Europe.

Even though under Arsene Wenger, the 2014 World Cup champion captured 3 FA Cups. He is considered as one of the top German players in Premier League history and was a temporary assistant manager along with Unai Emery.

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Antonio Rudiger

• Date of birth

  : Mar 3, 1993

• Place of birth

  : Berlin  Germany

• Age

  : 27

• Height

  : 1,90 m

• Citizenship

  : Germany

• Position

  : Defender - Centre-Back

• Foot

  : right

• Current club

  : Chelsea FC 

He hasn't played for a long time in England, yet the defender is currently known as one of the greatest german defenders and one of the top German players in Premier League history. He's a solid fan favorite in West London.

In comparison, records were crushed in 2019 at the point when in a game over Wolves, he completed 100 percent of his 91 passes, which is more than anybody has done ever before. The German center-back is a versatile defender who is also able to play on either side.

In 2015, ESPN introduced him as a " Big, fast and agile defender who is confident with the ball at his feet" and also as a "unique prospect" who " has all the physical traits required to become a center-back at the top level."

is a tough tackler and has always commanding presence in the air.

Ilkay Gundogan

• Name in home country

  : Ilkay Gundogan

• Date of birth

  : Oct 24, 1990

• Place of birth

  : Gelsenkirchen  Germany

• Age

  : 30

• Height

  : 1,80 m

• Citizenship

  : Germany

• Position

  : Midfielder - Central Midfield

• Foot

  : right

• Current club

  : Manchester City

Turning into 30, Ilkay Gundogan looks as good as always and is a crucial figure for the Citizens. The German midfielder has won two Premier League titles, three League Cup trophies, and a City FA Cup. Gundogan could be easily named one of the top German players in Premier League history.

Gundogan is portrayed as "a smart and perfect midfielder with various abilities" by Jurgen Klopp, Gundogan's former manager at BVB. While Gundogan had a difficult beginning at

, where he acknowledged that "things had not gone as well as I expected," according to Klopp, his "eagerness to listen" and "positive personality" helped him to play a vital role as a playmaker at the club.

Gundogan played his first game for the Citizens on 16 September 2017, featuring as a replacement in the side's 6-0 PL victory against

. He netted his first goal with a header 90 days later over Tottenham Hotspur.

He also netted twice against Basel in a 4-0 win in the Champions League. Gundogan has set two PL passing records with most passes attempted (174) and most passes completed (167) in a game. He signed a new four-year deal with

in 2019.

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At City, being used in a number of midfield roles, such as in a holding position, Gundogan additionally displayed his versatile attributes, including his perception, technical ability, analytical skills, and agility.

Although objectively, in terms of scoring goals and assisting he was not as effective as his other midfield peers, he drew attention in the media for his capacity to distribute the ball and generate space for teammates and is considered as one of the

all-time best German footballers who played in Premier League

. Even so, despite his talent, he has also suffered during his career from injury problems.

Dietmar Hamann

• Date of birth

  : Aug 27, 1973

• Place of birth

  : Waldsassen  Germany

• Age

  : 47

• Height

  : 1.91 m

• Citizenship

  : Germany

• Position

  : Midfielder - Defensive Midfield

• Foot

  : right

• Current club

  : Retired

Dietmar Hamann, a wrongfully underestimated midfielder, played much of his playing days in the PL and is famous as one of the top German players in Premier League history. He started his football in England after leaving Bayern Munich to join Newcastle United in 1998. In 1999, he signed an £8 million transfer contract to join the Reds, where Hamann won all his trophies.

He won two FA Cup trophies in 2001 and 2006 as well as two League Cup titles in 2001 and 2003, though never lifted the Premier League. Apart from Liverpool's iconic UCL-winning squad in 2005, it is also important to remember his European accomplishments, along with capturing a UEFA Cup-winning medal and two UEFA Super Cup titles. 

Hamann played 191 matches for Liverpool and scored 8 goals to be fairly present in our list as one of

the top German players in EPL history

. In an odd set of circumstances, he managed to join Manchester City. In 2006, he officially signed a pre-contract with Bolton, yet he changed his mind after staying only a day there and agreed to play for Man City then.

Manchester City promised to pay Bolton £400,000, however, Bolton revealed that it was only a weird circumstance that they had never formally signed the German. He proceeded to play 54 Premier League games for the club throughout three years to be a reliable face for Man City. 

Often an incredibly consistent player In the center of the field, Hamann was always an outstanding tactical playmaker. With his last job being a Stockport manager in 2011, he tried his hand at coaching and currently has a career in sports media as an analyst.

Michael Ballack

• Date of birth

  : Sep 26, 1976

• Place of birth

  : Gorlitz  DDR

• Age

  : 44

• Height

  : 1,89 m

• Citizenship

  : Germany

• Position

  : Midfielder - Central Midfield

• Foot

  : right

• Current club

  : Retired

Chelsea fans always saw an amazingly versatile player, one of the finest of his generation who was quite aggressively respected with outstanding leadership qualities. When given an opportunity, he could score goals easily.

Ballack demonstrated his excellent abilities during his time at Chelsea and can only reflect back on his tenure with pride that he unbelievably adapted to English football and is regarded as one of the

top German players in Premier League history

. He was a commanding, technically strong, and competitive player with outstanding passing range, who moved the ball effectively.

His game's technicality was incredibly high. As a defender, he began his football yet later he was moved to midfield by then-coach Christoph Daum. Joachim Low lauded as a player who exudes authority and composure on the pitch.

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Mesut Ozil

• Date of birth

  : Oct 15, 1988

• Place of birth

  : Gelsenkirchen  Germany

• Age

  : 32

• Height

  : 1,80 m

• Citizenship

  : Germany 

• Position

  : Midfielder - Attacking Midfield

• Foot

  : left

• Current club

  : Arsenal FC

One of the most controversial footballers in the Premier League at the same time one of the top German players in EPL history! In a club-record contract with Real Madrid in 2013, Ozil signed with Arsenal and quickly developed himself as a crucial player for Arsenal, capturing successive FA Cup titles in his first two campaigns in north London ahead of adding a third triumph. 

The perception and creativity of Ozil saw him overtake Eric Cantona as the first-ever footballer in Premier League to provide 50 assists, a milestone

has exceeded since, although his 19 assists only are one short of Thierry Henry's record.

was appointed Arsenal's Player of the Season in the 2015/16 season. 

Many may be criticizing his profession, however, his talent was never under question. Ozil recorded more goals and assists in PL history than any German footballer.

considering all-time best German footballers who played in Premier League, Ozil is a fast, flexible, versatile, and skilled player with strong dribbling ability, a dynamic player who shines as on flanks or as an attacking midfielder in a specialized playmaking position.

During the 2010 FIFA World Cup, owing to his inclination to drift from the middle into a deeper role while in control of the ball, he was additionally used in a new role that was later identified as a false-10 or central winger.

He also is positioned in a more aggressive role, where he normally acts as a second striker, as he often falls into deeper positions from which he can link the midfield. Sometimes he also performed as a center-forward, apparently working as a single striker, but simply playing false 9 positions.

His key strengths are his awareness, his power, mobility, tactical understanding, subtlety, passing range, and precise crossing skill, as well as his execution of set-pieces that enables him to get into good offensive roles, create spaces and provide his teammates with several assists, or even net goals himself. Ozil is an impressive left-footed playmaker. 

In the media, Ozil has been named "assist-king" because of his technical skill and offensive ability as a playmaker and is widely known as one of the

greatest German footballers in premier league history

.

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Jurgen Klinsmann

• Date of birth

  : Jul 30, 1964

• Place of birth

  : Goppingen  Germany

• Age

  : 56

• Height

  : 1,85 m

• Citizenship

  : Germany

• Position

  : Forward - Centre-Forward

• Foot

  : right

• Current club

  : Retired

Klinsmann's two Premier League stints with Tottenham Hotspur were two different seasons in his career. Although he had little luck with Spurs in the context of achievements, he managed to win the souls of the true fans of North London and become a living legend at the time. Klinsmann is known as one of the All-time best German footballers who played in premier league.

Klinsmann initially joined Tottenham for £2 from

in 1994. After being separated from the West Germany team that knocked the English out of the 1990 World Cup and with his notoriety for diving, he was seen as a villain. When he proceeded to net 20 goals in 41 matches in the 1994/95 season, this view soon shifted.

He was easily and strongly loved by all fans of Tottenham. In his first game over

, the striker scored his first goal when he headed the ball precisely and enjoyed his famous diving on the ground laughing.

Considering the greatest German footballers in premier league history, even now, anytime fans hear Klinsmann's name, the memory of the celebration is possibly the first thought that springs to mind. After a year, Klinsmann parted ways with Spurs to join Bayern Munich. He did not, though, remain there and returned on loan in the 1997/98 campaign. 

With his greatest game arriving in a 6-2 victory over

, his goals enabled Spurs to escape from relegation, netting four goals. With 9 league goals in matches, he ended the campaign with a total of 29 goals and 15 assists in 56 Premier League appearances, that year was his last one at a top standard.

Lukas Podolski

• Name in home country

  : Lukasz Jozef Podolski

• Date of birth

  : Jun 4, 1985

• Place of birth

  : Gliwice  Poland

• Age

  : 35

• Height

  : 1,82 m

• Citizenship

  : Germany

• Position

  : Forward - Second Striker

• Foot

  : left

• Current club

  : Antalyaspor

Arsene Wenger eventually convinced attacker Lukas Podolski in 2012 to join Arsenal. His respect for a player who had been in disastrous shape for

was no mystery to the French strategist. His first campaign at The Emirates was undeniably his finest as he netted 16 goals in 34 games, however, things took a slow downturn and during the next season, he suffered a ten-week injury.

Podolski traveled to London after lifting the World Cup with Germany in 2014 and became one of the top German players in Premier League history. The German striker has an efficient and precise shot that hits speeds of almost 100 mph.

Podolski was portrayed by Arsene Wenger as saying, "He's definitely one of the best finishers I've ever seen. If there's one you want to see in a shooting spot in front of the net, it's him." Podolski had a great pace with a significant acceleration in his initial years, which was later influenced by several long injuries.

Either to shoot or move the ball, he normally cuts inside. Podolski is a technically powerful player capable of holding the ball up and producing accurate passes.

He has excellent dribbling and tactical skills and is also a good ball crosser who has set up several goals from the left side for his teammates. Having missed just two penalties up until now, he is a penalty master. the Gunners faithful fans consider him as one of the

best German players in Premier League history

.

Leroy Sane

• Name in home country

  : Leroy Aziz Sane

• Date of birth

  : Jan 11, 1996

• Place of birth

  : Essen  Germany

• Age

  : 24

• Height

  : 1,84 m

• Citizenship

  : Germany

• Position

  : Forward - Left Winger

• Foot

  : left

• Current club

  : Bayern Munich

The signing of Leroy Sane from Schalke by Manchester City sparked controversy given the crucial funds concerned, yet the winger soon eliminated all questions about being one of the Premier League's most promising youngsters. 

Ahead of a successful season in 2017/18, Sane experienced a successful first year at the Etihad, being named as the PFA Young Player of the Year as Pep Guardiola's team captured the Premier League. Sane proceeded to impress as Man City turned into the first team to lift a domestic treble in English football history, recording 16 goals in all matches. 

The explosive speed and pace of Sane made him a terrifying rival for defenders. Leroy Sane netted 25 goals in 90 league matches and provided 28 assists after transferring to the PL, in this regard he is the second German behind Mesut Ozil and is known as one of the best German players in Premier League history.

Uwe Rosler

• Date of birth

  : Nov 15, 1968

• Place of birth

  : Altenburg  DDR

• Age

  : 51

• Height

  : 1,85 m

• Citizenship

  : Germany

• Position

  : Forward - Centre-Forward

• Foot

  : right

• Current club

  : Retired

Having played 24 games for Southampton in the PL, during his tenure with the Citizens, Uwe Rosler netted 29 goals. Rosler had directly attributed 32 career league goals since appearing in the Premier League on a conditional loan contract despite having played for 5 different German clubs before landing in England.

He received a permanent deal for £500k following scoring five goals in his first 12 appearances, back in 1994, that was a significant price tag for one of the

Premier League's best ever German players

. Even so, he had his finest year in England in his first campaign, where he scored 15 league goals in 31 matches.

Sadly, the 9 goals he netted in the 1995/1996 season were not sufficient to hold his side in the Premier League, yet after the relegation, he remained with the team and netted 21 goals in 73 games. In the 2000/2001 campaign, he was charged with delivering the goals for

, yet sadly for the player that never happened.

Karl-Heinz Riedle

• Date of birth

  : Sep 16, 1965

• Place of birth

  : Weiler in Allgau  Germany

• Age

  : 55

• Height

  : 1,79 m

• Citizenship

  : Germany

• Position

  : Forward - Centre-Forward

• Foot

  : right

• Current club

  : Retired

In the all-time best German players to appear in the Premier League, former Liverpool and

attacker Karl-Heinz Riedle is the last face. Riedle is known as one of the Premier League's best ever German players.

Before heading on to England in the sunset of his football, yet the 47-year-old won the 1990 World Cup with Germany and the 1997 UCL with BVB. While in his 4 campaigns in England he netted 17 goals. Throughout his football career, he was outstanding and has enough medals to back that up.

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