The English Premier League is one of the most popular football competitions on earth. It has been topping the list of the most popular yearly sporting events for quite a few years. Due to its popularity and mass fan base, many top players from across the world have come to ply their trade in front of thousands of crowds week in and week out.
As the Premier League is considered one of the toughest leagues to play, a lot of players can not continue their presence here for a long time. But, few rose above all odds and provided services for their respective clubs for more than a decade. Hunger for fame, titles and immense popularity had given them a long-lasting longevity to continue at the highest level in the Premier League. Among this lot, many started and ended their careers in England, while others, coming from different leagues, gave their best years to English football.
When it comes to the list of most Premier League appearances, these players including the likes of Frank Lampard, Ryan Giggs, Phil Neville and Jamie Carragher shine bright like jewels. These stars left the beautiful game with the honor of being players with the most Premier League appearances. Here in this article, we will discuss the top 10 players with the most appearances in Premier League history.
Also Read: Top 10 Players With Most Headed Goals in Football History
10. Phil Neville (505 games)
Phil Neville was one of those players who was always present during every match week. The former Manchester United and Everton legend is one of the top 10 players with the most appearances in Premier League history. One of the famous Neville brothers, Phil spent most of his playing time at Old Trafford, donning the jersey of the Red Devils. The former English full-back started his EPL journey in 1994 after joining United and hung up his boots as an Everton legend in 2013, having secured 505 appearances. Phil Neville won six Premier League trophies as a Red Devil in eleven years.
9. Jamie Carragher (508 games)
Jamie Carragher is nowadays known for his witty remarks on football and its surroundings during commentaries. But, many don’t know that he is also one of the top players with the most appearances in the Premier League. Carragher was one of the loyal players in the history of Liverpool as his whole club career spanned 17 years which was only dedicated towards the service for the Reds. He featured in a whopping 508 Premier League games in his career, having won plenty of titles. However, Carragher, despite being one of the greatest Reds in the club’s history, holds an unwanted record of scoring seven own-goals in the league, which is second on the list as of now.
8. Mark Schwarzer (514 games)
The Australian goalkeeper is the only non-European player to play in more than 500 Premier League games in the history of the competition. Mark Schwarzer represented several EPL clubs including the likes of Chelsea and Leicester City. He was a crucial part of the Foxes’ squad that lifted the 2016 Premier League title. He also holds the record of the third-highest clean sheets in the English top flight, having kept 151 clean sheets.
7. Emile Heskey (516 games)
Emile Heskey is one of the top Liverpool legends. The tall English forward scored 111 Premier League goals in 516 appearances throughout his club career. Despite representing the clubs such as Liverpool, Aston Villa and Leicester City, the Premier title was elusive for him. He spent a substantial period of his career at Anfield.
6. Gary Speed (535 games)
The legendary Gary Speed is one of the most important figures in the history of the English top division. Playing for the likes of Newcastle United, Leeds United, Bolton and Everton, the English midfielder clocked over 80 goals in 535 games and featured on the list of the most Premier League appearances. The 1992 League winner passed away in 2011.
5. David James (572 games)
With 572 appearances, David James is in the fifth position on the tally of the players with the most Premier League appearances. The legendary English player is the goalkeeper with the most appearances in the league. He plied his trade in many English teams including Manchester City and Liverpool, but many consider him as a Liverpool legend only.
4. Frank Lampard (609 games)
Frank Lampard is one of the most popular players in the history of the English top flight. The Chelsea legend played in 609 games, which made him one of the players with most appearances in Premier League history. Lampard, one of the most complete midfielders, featured in clubs like Manchester City and West Ham United except Chelsea. The decorated English playmaker made 429 appearances for the Blues and scored 177 Premier League goals overall. Before leaving Stamford Bridge in 2014, he won three English top division titles.
3. Ryan Giggs (632 games)
The Welsh attacker is the third player on the list of the most Premier League appearances. Ryan Giggs featured in 632 English top flight games in his club career and made this contribution only for Manchester United for 24 years. The wide midfielder lifted the Premier League title for a record 13 times as a Red Devil before leaving the club and the sport as a player.
2. James Milner (634 games)
The ever-green James Milner is one of the greatest players in the history of Liverpool. He is the only active player on this list which shows the physical and mental durability of this man. Milner has already made 634 appearances in the Premier League and is currently representing Brighton and Hove Albion after more than 8 years of service at Liverpool. The English defensive midfielder has played for several big clubs such as Manchester City, Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Leeds United in his English top flight career. The Englishman has won three Premier League titles and one Champions League trophy.
1. Gareth Barry (653 games)
Gareth Barry, with 653 appearances, is the player with the most Premier League appearances in history. The former Manchester City player won the league title only once in his career, that too in 2012 at the Etihad. The midfielder took retirement from professional football in 2020.
FAQs
Q: Who has the most appearances in the premier league?
Gareth Barry has the most appearances (653) in the Premier League.
Q: Who has more than 500 Premier League appearances?
13 players including the likes of Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand, James Milner, Jamie Carragher and Ryan Giggs have more than 500 Premier League appearances.