Lacina Traore and the 10 Tallest Premier League Players

According to The Guardian, Monaco striker Lacina Traore has been granted a work permit that will facilitate a loan move to West Ham. If all goes to plan, the Ivorian will be in the Hammers line-up for the match with Newcastle at the weekend.

Traore is known as "the Gentle Giant," as his 6'8" frame makes him one of the tallest players in the professional game. In fact, he is set to become the joint-tallest player in the Premier League.

Here are the English top flight's current tallest ballers.

Wojciech Szczesny

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As the first-choice goalkeeper in one of the Premier League's best defences, it's safe to say Wojciech Szczesny can stand tall and proud. 

At the very least, the 23-year-old Pole can stand tall—6'5" (1.96m) tall, to be precise.  

Petr Cech

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Also checking in at 6'5" (1.96m) is Chelsea's Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech. 

By coincidence, his understudy Mark Schwarzer is also exactly the same height. 

Raphael Spiegel

West Ham's fourth-choice goalkeeper Raphael Spiegel is a regular in the U21 side but has yet to make an appearance in the first team. 

Regardless, the 21-year-old shot stopper is in the Hammers' squad, and his 6' 5.5" (1.97m) height puts him in very lanky company. 

Maarten Stekelenburg

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Fulham's Dutch keeper Maarten Stekelenburg made a return to action in Tuesday evening's FA Cup third-round replay with Norwich, and the Canaries were unable to get anything past his 6'5.5" (1.97m) frame. 

Asmir Begovic

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Stoke's man at the back, Asmir Begovic, who hasn't played since he picked up an injury shortly before Christmas, stands at 6'6" (1.98m). 

Joe Lewis

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Yet another goalkeeper makes the list—quelle surprise!

Cardiff's second-choice shot stopper doesn't see an awful lot of action, but when he does his 6'6" (1.98m) frame fills the goal. 

Dan Burn

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Hoorah! A non-goalkeeper!

Fulham defender Dan Burn was recently recalled from a loan spell at Birmingham City and had immediate impact in the Cottagers' FA Cup clash with Norwich. 

The lanky centre-back is 6'6" (1.98m). 

Per Mertesacker

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Arsenal's towering centre-back Per Mertesacker is nicknamed the "Big F*****g German" for a reason.

What the 29-year-old lacks in speed, he certainly makes up for in height, standing at 6'6" (1.98m). 

Peter Crouch

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You knew this man was going to make an appearance on this list at some point. 

Stoke City striker Peter Crouch is renowned for the beanpole-esque features that help him win most aerial duels, but one must not discount the skill he possesses with the ball at his feet. 

Crouchy stands at just over 6'7" (2.01m), one of only two Premier League players to break the two-metre barrier. 

Costel Pantilimon

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The Premier League's tallest player, who quite literally stands head and shoulders above the rest, is Costel Pantilimon. 

Manchester City's backup goalkeeper has been handed a number of starts this year, thanks to the drop in form of Joe Hart. The Romanian is a towering 6'8" (2.03m) tall. 

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