The 10 Best Ever Spanish Premier League Stars
Few countries—perhaps only France and the Netherlands—can boast the same number of quality Premier League imports that Spain can.
Over the years, England’s top flight has been graced by some truly exceptional Spanish players in positions all over the pitch. This list will rank the 10 best ever Spanish Premier League stars.
The ranking criteria for this list consists of a number of factors. Players are judged based on how they performed in the league alone, not their careers before or after. The number of appearances the player made is also factor, as it demonstrates longevity and a general standard of performance—although players aren’t required to have reached a certain number.
Goals and assists are factored in for attacking players, while overall team defensive records are considered for defenders and goalkeepers. Naturalised citizens are eligible.
Honourable Mentions
1 of 11
Fernando Hierro - Bolton Wanderers
Despite playing just one season for Bolton Wanderers, Fernando Hierro played a pivotal role in Sam Allardyce's side eventually recording a record sixth place finish. The defensive midfielder was already a bona fide Real Madrid legend by the time he arrived on British shores.
Gerard Pique - Manchester United
Although he made just 12 Premier League appearances, Gerard Pique has gone on to become one of the most highly rated defenders in the world.
Ivan Campo - Bolton Wanderers
A veteran of Allardyce's best years at Bolton, Ivan Campo was the reliable linchpin that allowed the attacking flair of Jay-Jay Okocha to be used to full effect.
Jose Antonio Reyes - Arsenal
Although his time with the Gunners soured after he was duped into admitting he wanted a move away during a radio interview, Reyes briefly lit up the league and was an important part of Arsenal's last championship-winning team.
Mikel Arteta - Everton and Arsenal
The closest of our honourable mentions to making the list proper, Mikel Arteta has been a familiar face in the league since 2005 and has been an important midfield presence for both Everton and the Gunners.
Michu - Swansea City
Had Michu kept up the rate of scoring he achieved in his debut season, he'd be a certainty for the top ten. However, he tailed off badly in a second season that was curtailed by injury, and it looks like his Swansea City career may be over now he's on loan at Napoli.
10. Diego Costa, Chelsea
2 of 11
He may only be in his first season in England, but Diego Costa has already left his mark on the Premier League.
Even playing for the likely champions, 19 goals in 23 games is a return that speaks for itself. After last season, when the Blues looked somewhat blunt in attack, Costa has been the perfect spearhead for a potent supporting cast.
If he's able to keep his ratio up, he'll be rising up the rankings sooner rather than later.
9. Santi Cazorla, Arsenal
3 of 11
A criminally underrated talent, Cazorla's reputation has been the victim of the wealth of talent in his position, both at Arsenal and in the league in general.
Like so many of his midfield compatriots, Cazorla is typically cool on the ball and is more than capable of chipping in with the goals, having netted 23 times in less than 100 appearances.
He could have been considerably more successful in the league had his versatility not counted against him; frequently, he has found himself forced to cover the positions left by Arsenal’s incredible injury list.
8. David De Gea, Manchester United
4 of 11
The first goalkeeper on our list, David De Gea endured a tough start to life at Old Trafford and at one stage looked likely to follow in a long line of goalkeepers who had failed at the club.
His record price tag appeared to be weighing heavily on his shoulders.
Almost four years later and De Gea has overcome his shaky start to establish himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the league.
His superb shot-stopping has been a consistent feature of his game, but a much-publicised weight lifting regime has enabled him to overcome his reticence on crosses and become a commanding presence in his area.
7. Luis Garcia, Liverpool
5 of 11
Luis Garcia’s league statistics with Liverpool—77 games and 18 goals over three years—may not look the most impressive, but they only tell half the story.
Not only was he an experienced attacking threat, but his penchant for scoring in important games—in the Champions League as well as the Premier League—established him as a truly talismanic presence in the team.
He remains an iconic cult hero at a club that is in no way lacking in that department.
6. Pepe Reina, Liverpool
6 of 11
Another key member of Rafa Benitez’s Spanish contingent at Liverpool, Pepe Reina was a virtual ever-present for his first eight seasons on Merseyside, winning the Golden Glove in each of his first three years with the club.
Like Garcia, Reina wasn’t just a fantastic player in his own right—the psychological effect he had on defences was an immeasurable bonus. Benitez’s sides used a miserly defence as their bedrock, and Reina was a critical part of that.
5. David Silva, Manchester City
7 of 11
Along with Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure, David Silva has been one of the crucial players in establishing Manchester City as a renewed power in England, with two titles in three years.
Like so many of the great Premier League sides, City’s system tends to task one player with unlocking the massed ranks of opposition defenders, and David Silva has performed that role ably.
Forty-four assists and 32 goals in 157 games is a fantastic record for a player whose performances are often overshadowed by Toure’s bulldozing runs and Aguero’s Midas touch in front of goal.
4. Fernando Torres, Liverpool and Chelsea
8 of 11
Although his time in England will forever be overshadowed by the failure of his big-money move to Chelsea, during his time with Liverpool, Fernando Torres was one of the most explosive, exciting strikers the Premier League has ever seen.
He netted 65 goals in just 102 games on Merseyside, and in the 2008/09 season, "El Nino" was the club’s talisman, forming an irresistible partnership with Steven Gerrard as they came agonisingly close to breaking their Premier League title duck.
3. Juan Mata, Chelsea and Manchester United
9 of 11
While it has taken some time for his Manchester United career to ignite, Juan Mata has hit his stride and is now showing the form which twice made him Chelsea's Player of the Year.
Few players in the Premier League have demonstrated such an innate ability to craft chances for the players in front of them.
He's recorded 36 assists and scored 31 times in just over 120 appearances for both teams, but even those statistics don't do justice to his creative talents.
2. Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal and Chelsea
10 of 11
Cesc Fabregas was already a Premier League star when he left Arsenal for Barcelona in 2011, but his second spell in the league with Chelsea has just served to solidify his status.
At both clubs, he has demonstrated his versatility, excelling in front of goal, creating chances and dictating the play from a deep role.
The fact he is so versatile has perhaps counted against him at times, making him a jack of all trades but a master of none, but even so, he looks destined to go down as one of the league's best ever players.
1. Xabi Alonso, Liverpool
11 of 11
Xabi Alonso embodies everything that we've come to associate with Spanish football; precision, elegance and an unflappable coolness.
Over the course of 143 league games for Liverpool, Alonso became the fulcrum of his compatriot Rafael Benitez's system, acting as a deep-lying metronome, orchestrating the play ahead of him.
His reliability and position in the defensive midfield was also key in allowing Steven Gerrard to get forward and support Fernando Torres in what was arguably the fulcrum of both their careers.
All statistics from Statbunker unless otherwise noted.
