Top 12 Best Spanish Players in Premier League History

Spanish footballers are some of the top performers in the Premier League But who are the best Spanish players in the Premier League? So let’s take a look at the Premier League’s top Spanish player in 2024.   

Since the inception of the Premier League, many Spanish Players emerged as the league’s top scorer throughout history until 2024.  Whether it’s goalkeeping or striking or an excellent midfielder, Spaniards know their ways to make it possible. 

Rodri, David Silva, and Cesc Fàbregas are a few who left their mark on England’s most prestigious football league. In this blog, we will discuss the top 12 all-time Spanish football players in Premier League history.    

Here are the 12 best Spanish players in Premier League history in 2024  

Rank	Player	Clubs Played	Appearances	Honors in Premier League
12	David de Gea	Manchester United	415	Premier League title (2012–13)
11	Cesc Fàbregas	Arsenal, Chelsea	350	2 Premier League titles with Chelsea (2014–15, 2016–17)
10	César Azpilicueta	Chelsea	349	2 Premier League titles (2014–15, 2016–17)
9	David Silva	Manchester City	309	4 Premier League titles (2011–12, 2013–14, 2017–18, 2018–19)
8	Mikel Arteta	Everton, Arsenal	284	None
7	Pepe Reina	Liverpool	285	None
6	Juan Mata	Chelsea, Manchester United	277	Premier League
5	Rodri	Manchester City	132	2 Premier League titles (2020–21, 2021–22)
4	Santi Cazorla	Arsenal	129	None
3	Xabi Alonso	Liverpool	143	None
2	Fernando Torres	Liverpool, Chelsea	212	None
1	Diego Costa	Chelsea	89	2 Premier League titles (2014–15, 2016–17)

12. David de Gea

On top of the list of Best Spanish Players in the Premier League, we have David de Gea who played the most 415 matches over 12 seasons. Davids became the top Spanish goalkeeper serving longest in the Premier League. His acrobatic saves and quick reflexes were game-changing for Manchester United making the club detrimental for others. De Gea was an integral part of United and lifted the Premier League title in 2012-2013. He also won two Golden Glove Awards in 2017–18 and 2022–23. 

David de Gea PL Stats
Club	Position	Appearances	Goals	Assists	Titles Won
Manchester United	Goalkeeper	415	0	1	1 Premier League title (2012–13), 2 Golden Glove Awards (2017–18, 2022–23)

11. Cesc Fàbregas

Cesc Fàbregas is the second all-time Spanish player who has the most appearances in Premier League history. In his 350 game appearances, Cesc Fàbregas scored 50 goals and 111 assists while playing for Arsenal and Chelsea. Fàbregas was known for his playmaking skills, vision, and pinpoint passing. At the age of 21,  Fàbregas became the captain of the Arsenal and scored 35 goals in 212 Premier League appearances. He then moved to Chelsea in 2014 and played a crucial role in the Premier League title-winning success in the same year. He registered 18 assists which is the League’s highest assist. Cesc Fàbregas is the second all-time great in Premier League assists following Ryan Giggs. Undoubtedly, Cesc Fàbregas is one of the top Spanish Premier League players.  

Cesc Fàbregas PL Stats
Club	Position	Appearances	Goals	Assists	Titles Won
Arsenal (2003–2011)	Midfielder	212	35	71	None
Chelsea (2014–2019)	Midfielder	138	15	37	2 Premier League Titles (2014–15, 2016–17)
Total		350	50	111	2 PL Title

10. César Azpilicueta

César Azpilicueta was the indispensable Spanish player of his time in the Premier League. Former Chelsea defender Azpilicueta is one of the excellent players with multiple defensive positions – right-back, left-back, and center-back. His consistent performance and commitment to the team rewarded him a captaincy in 202-2021 during the UEFA Championships. Other than his two Premier Leagues 2014-2015, and 2016-2017 César Azpilicueta contributed to many of Chelsea’s winning titles including FA Cups and the Europa League. 

César Azpilicueta PL Stats
Club	Position	Appearances	Goals	Assists	Titles Won
Chelsea (2012–2023)	Defender (RB, LB, CB)	349	10	35	2 Premier League Titles (2014–15, 2016–17)

Also Read: Top 10 players who has the most Premier League shots on target

9. David Silva

David Silva was one of the best Spanish Premier League players of all-time. Former Manchester City star David  Silva was a maestro in midfield known for his amazing ball control, precise passing technique, vision, and tackling defenses. His decade-long tenure from 2010 to 2020 with City helped the club in cementing an image as a Premier League powerhouse. Throughout his 10 seasons, Silva remained one of the top consistent performers appearing in 309 games while scoring 60 goals. Silva, one of the most creative Premier League players won four Premier League titles (2011, 2013, 2017, 2018) and is remembered as one of the best midfielders in the world as well as in the League.   

David Silva PL Stats
Club	Position	Appearances	Goals	Assists	Titles Won
Manchester City	Midfielder	309	60	93	4 Premier League Titles (2011–12, 2013–14, 2017–18, 2018–19)

8. Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta was famous for his leadership quality in the midfield. His passing accuracy and grip on the ball helped him in scoring and assisting regularly from free-kicks and corners. During his time with Arsenal, Arteta became a captain and turned out one of the top midfielders while mentoring young players. After his retirement from football, Arteta started a new chapter of his career as a manager and continued serving Arsenal as a head coach to lead them in their recent season’s success.

Mikel Arteta PL stats
Club	Position	Appearances	Goals	Assists	Titles Won
Everton (2005–2011)	Midfielder	174	28	35	None
Arsenal (2011–2016)	Midfielder	110	16	7	None
Total		284	44	42	None

7. Pepe Reina

Another goalkeeper Pepe Reina is on the top Spanish Player in the Premier League and is one of the consistent performers during his time. With Liverpool, Pepe won Golden Gloves for three consecutive seasons (2005, 2006, 2007). He also recorded a remarkable feat of 134 clean sheets during his Premier League career. Reina was one of the ball-playing goalkeepers known for his ability to launch counter-attacks with accurate throws and kicks. He remained the most renowned  Liverpool player who played an integral role in the club’s success on many occasions. 

Pepe Reina PL Stats
Club	Position	Appearances	Goals	Assists	Titles Won
Liverpool (2005–2013)	Goalkeeper	285	0	2	None (Premier League); 3 Golden Gloves (2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08)
Aston Villa (2020)	Goalkeeper	12	0	0	None
Total		297	0	2

6. Juan Mata

Juan Mata was one of the most celebrated Spanish football players for both Chelsea and Manchester United in the Premier League. His vision, precise passing, and scoring capability from free-kicks made him a crucial player for the club. During his tenure with these two clubs, Juan Mata lifted two Premier League Cups, one FA Cup, and one  UEFA Europa League with Manchester United. His leadership quality and attacking delivery assist helped Manchester in many domestic and International matches. He also won Chelsea Player of the Year twice in 2012 and 2013. His remarkable accomplishments make him one of the top Spanish football players in the Premier League.     

Juan Mata PL Stats
Club	Position	Appearances	Goals	Assists	Titles Won
Chelsea (2011–2014)	Midfielder	83	18	35	1 Premier League title (2014–15); FA Cup (2017–18)
Manchester United (2014–2022)	Midfielder	185	33	23	1 Premier League title (2014–15); FA Cup, EFL Cup, UEFA Europa League
Total		268	51	58

5. Rodri

Rodri has been a consistent Spanish player in the Premier League since his 2019 debut with Manchester City. Rodri is one of the top defensive skills with precise passing, strength for breaking up attacks, crossing, and defensive cover. He helped City to win three consecutive Premier cups including 2020-2021, 2021-2022, and 2022-2023. In the 2023 Premier League, Rodri bagged four goals and seven assists. Rodri is probably one of the best Spanish defensive midfielder in the world.  

Rodri PL Stats
Club	Position	Appearances	Goals	Assists	Titles Won
Manchester City	Midfielder	163	20	17	2 Premier League titles (2020–21, 2021–22); FA Cup (2022–23)

Also Read: Top 10 Best Football Players In The World 2024

4. Santi Cazorla

Another Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla is one of the most renowned dribblers who has excellent vision skills, and creativity. All these skills made him a standout footballer of his time. Cazorla is also known for his direct free-kicks and creating situations for his other teammates. He scored in both 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 to contribute to Arsenal’s FA Cup success. Cazorla suffered injuries particularly an Achilles tendon injury which affected his gameplay in his Premier League era. However, Santi Cazorla is remembered as one of the top Spanish Footballers in PL history.  

Santi Cazorla PL Stats
Club	Position	Appearances	Goals	Assists	Titles Won
Arsenal (2012–2018)	Midfielder	129	26	13	2 FA Cups (2013–14, 2014–15)

3. Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso is next on the list of best Spanish footballers in the Premier League ever. Xabi Alonso’s exceptional passing range and ability to control the game from midfield make him one of the best strikers in the world. His outstanding vision and clarity of the goals helped in score many crucial goals, including a classic long-range goal against  Newcastle United in 2006. In the Premier League, Alonso’s defensive style as well as offensive gameplay helped the team in so many matches. He helped Liverpool to lift many titles – the UEFA Champions League in 2005, the FA Cup, and the Community Shield but no luck in the Premier League.  

Xabi Alonso PL Stats
Club	Position	Appearances	Goals	Assists	Titles Won
Liverpool (2004–2009)	Midfielder	143	17	26	FA Cup (2005–06), UEFA Champions League (2004–05), Community Shield (2006)

2. Fernando Torres

Fernando Torres is another Spanish star on our list of top Spanish players in the Premier League famous for his blistering pace, clinical finishing, and ability to score from different angles. During his career, Fernando Torres played for Football club Liverpool and Chelsea in the Premier League. For Liverpool, Torres scored 65 goals in 102 appearances, while for Chelsea bagged 20 goals in 110 appearances as he struggled in the latter. Speaking of Fernando Torres’  Premier League achievements, he won a 2014-2015 title with Chelsea. However, he couldn’t recreate his Liverpool form in the club but remained an important player. 

Fernando Torres PL Stats
Club	Position	Appearances	Goals	Assists	Titles Won
Liverpool (2007–2011)	Striker	102	65	18	None
Chelsea (2011–2014)	Striker	110	20	8	1 Premier League title (2014–15); UEFA Champions League (2011–12)
Total		212	85	26

1. Diego Costa

Known for his aggressive playing style,  physicality, and clinical finishing, Diego Costa is one of the most important figures in Chelsea. Diego played a pivotal role in many of Chelsea’s title-winning campaigns in 2the 014-2015 and 2016-2017 seasons. Costa was the top scorer for the club as well in the 2014-2015 season securing 20 goals for Chelsea. Despite Diego Costa’s aggressive gameplay, his ability to score goals in big games cemented his place as one of the top strikers in the Premier League during his time. 

Diego Costa PL Stats
Club	Position	Appearances	Goals	Assists	Titles Won
Chelsea (2014–2017)	Striker	89	52	18	2 Premier League titles (2014–15, 2016–17); EFL Cup (2014–15)
Wolverhampton Wanderers (2022–2023)	Striker	8	0	0	None
Total		97	52	18

Also Read: 15 Best Brazilian Premier League Players in History

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