25 Great Midfielders Who Never Graced the EPL: How Would They Cope?

A list of 30 Great Midfielders who have not played for the Premier League and how each of them would cope in what is considered today as the greatest League in the world of football.

Footballers have to have been active when the Premier League was invented in 1992 to have qualified for this list.

Here is a video of two of the EPL greatest midfielders.

Pavel Nedved (CZE)

Phil Cole/Getty Images

LONDON - FEBRUARY 25: Pavel Nedved of Juventus looks on during the UEFA Champions League, Round of Last 16, First Leg match between Chelsea and Juventus at Stamford Bridge on February 25, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images)

Name: Pavel Nedved

Nationality: Czechoslovakian

Position: Attacking Midfielder

Primary Club: Juventus

Greatest Honor: Ballon D’Or 2003

Goals/App: 146/664

Most Suited EPL Team: Chelsea

Video

Pablo Aimar (ARG)

Michael Regan/Getty Images

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - JULY 24: Pablo Aimar of Benfica during the Amsterdam Tournament match between Sunderland and Benfica at the Amsterdam Arena on July 24, 2009 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Name: Pablo Aimar

Nationality: Argentinean

Position: Attacking Midfielder

Primary Cub: Valencia

Greatest Honor: Captain of the Valencia Team that won the 2002 La Liga

Goals/App: 64/394

Most Suited EPL Team: Liverpool

Video

Zinedine Zidane (FRA)

Dominic Barnardt/Getty Images

SANDTON, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 21: Zinedine Zidane attends a Press Conference on the eve of the France vs South Africa Group A match, on June 21, 2010 in Sandton, South Africa. (Photo by Dominic Barnardt/Getty Images for adidas)

Name: Zinedine Zidane

Nationality: French

Position: Attacking Midfielder

Primary Club:Real Madrid

Other Clubs:Juventus

Greatest Honor: Ballon D’Or 1998

Goals/App:  128/681

Most Suited EPL Team: Manchester United

Video

Juan Roman Riquelme (ARG)

Koji Watanabe/Getty Images

BEIJING - AUGUST 23: Argentinian Juan Roman Riquelme his national flag during the men's Olympic football tournament medal ceremony at the Men's Final between Nigeria and Argentina at the National Stadium on Day 15 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on Augu

Name: Juan Roman Riquelme

Nationality: Argentinean

Position: Attacking Midfielder

Primary Club: Villarreal

Other Clubs: Boca Juniors, Barcelona

Greatest Honor: 3 Time Argentine Player of the Year, La Liga Foreign Player of the year 2001

Goals/App:  88/366

Most Suited EPL Team: Newcastle United

Video

Xavi Hernandez (ESP)

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 09: Xavi Hernandez of Spain in action during the International friendly match between Spain and Colombia at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on February 9, 2011 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Name: Xavi Hernandez

Nationality: Spanish

Position: Midfielder

Primary Club: Barcelona

Greatest Honor: World's Best Playmaker 2008, 2009, 2010

Goals/App:  60/621

Most Suited EPL Team: Arsenal

Video

Esteban Cambiasso (ARG)

Dino Panato/Getty Images

MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 06: Esteban Cambiasso of Inter in action during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale Milano and AS Roma at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 6, 2011 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Dino Panato/Getty Images)

Name: Esteban Cambiasso

Nationality: Argentinean  

Position: Defensive Midfielder

Primary Club: Internazionale  

Other Clubs: Real Madrid

Greatest Honor: Internazionale Treble Winner 2010

Goals/App:  62/467

Most Suited EPL Team: Tottenham/Liverpool

Video

Andrea Pirlo (ITA)

Claudio Villa/Getty Images

MILAN, ITALY - DECEMBER 08: Andrea Pirlo of AC Milan during the UEFA Champions League Group G match between AC Milan and AFC Ajax at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 8, 2010 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Name: Andrea Pirlo

Nationality: Italian  

Position: Midfielder

Primary Club: Milan

Other Clubs: Internazionale  

Greatest Honor: 2 Time Champions League Winner 03,07

Goals/App:  53/505

Most Suited EPL Team: Aton Villa

Video

Andrea Iniesta (ESP)

Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 16: Andres Iniesta of Barcelona in action during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Arsenal and Barcelona at the Emirates Stadium on February 16, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty

Name: Andrea Iniesta

Nationality: Spanish

Position: Midfielder

Primary Club: Barcelona

Greatest Honor:  World Cup and Euro Cup Winner

Goals/App:  36/400

Most Suited EPL Team: Arsenal

Video

Mesut Özil GER)

Scott Heavey/Getty Images

LYON, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 22: Mesut Ozil of Real Madrid during the Champions League match between Lyon and Real Madrid at Stade Gerland on February 22, 2011 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)

Name: Mesut Ozil

Nationality: German

Position: Attacking Midfielder

Primary Club: Werder Bremen

Other Clubs: Real Madrid

Greatest Honor:  FIFA Ballon d'Or 2010 Nominee

Goals/App:  28/178

Most Suited EPL Team: Arsenal

Video

Simao (POR)

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

MADRID, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 26: Simao of Atletico Madrid in action during the La Liga match between Atletico Madrid and Real Zaragoza at the Vicente Calderon stadium on September 26, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Name: Simao

Nationality: Portuguese

Position: Winger/Midfielder

Primary Club: Benfica

Other Clubs: Athletico Madrid, Barcelona

Greatest Honor:  Portuguese Golden Ball: 2005

Goals/App:  32/168

Most Suited EPL Team: Liverpool

Video

Daniel De Rossi (ITA)

Claudio Villa/Getty Images

DORTMUND, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 09: Daniele De Rossi of Italy and the referee Eric Braamhaar during the International Friendly match between Germany and Italy on February 9, 2011 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Name: Daniel De Rossi

Nationality: Italian

Position: Central Midfielder

Primary Club: Roma

Greatest Honor:  2006 World Cup Winner, Italian Footballer of The Year 2009

Goals/App:  42/347

Most Suited EPL Team: Manchester United

Video

Roberto Baggio ITA

Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images

MILAN, ITALY - APRIL 21: Roberto Baggio attends 'Attaccante Nato' Book Launch held at Sala Buzzati on April 21, 2010 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images)

Name: Roberto Baggio

Nationality: Italian

Position: Second Striker/Attacking Midfielder

Primary Club: Juventus

Other Clubs: Milan, Fiorentina

Greatest Honor:  Ballon D' Or 1993 Winner

Goals/App: 292/637

Most Suited EPL Team: Chelsea

Video

Kaka (BRA)

Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Kaka of Real Madrid reacts during the la Liga match between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on February 6, 2011 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)

Name: Kaka

Nationality: Brazilian

Position: Attacking Midfielder

Primary Club: Milan

Other Clubs: Real Madrid

Greatest Honor: Ballon d' Or 2007 Winner

Goals/App: 154/444

Most Suited EPL Team: Chelsea

Video

Rivaldo (BRA)

Simon Cross/Getty Images

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 08: Rivaldo of Bunyodkor kicks during the AFC Champions League semi-final first leg match between Adelaide United and Bunyodkor at Hindmarsh Stadium on October 8, 2008 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Simon Cross/Getty Ima

Name: Rivaldo

Nationality: Brazilian

Position: Second Striker/ Attacking Midfielder

Primary Club: Barcelona

Other Clubs: Milan, Olympiacos

Greatest Honor: Ballon D' Or 1999

Goals/App: 324/679

Most Suited EPL Team: Chelsea

Video

Bastian Schweinsteiger (GER)

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

MUNICH, GERMANY - AUGUST 20: Bastian Schweinsteiger of Bayern jumps for a header during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and VfL Wolfsburg at Allianz Arena on August 20, 2010 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Name: Bastian Schweinsteiger

Nationality: German

Position: Midfielder

Primary Club: Bayern Munich

Greatest Honor: FIFA World Cup All Star Team: 2010

Goals/App:  39/335

Most Suited EPL Team: Spurs

Video

Wesley Sneijder (NED)

Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images

FLORENCE, ITALY - FEBRUARY 16: Wesley Sneijder of FC Internazionale Milano in action during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and FC Internazionale Milano at Stadio Artemio Franchi on February 16, 2011 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltin

Name: Wesley Sneijder

Nationality: Dutch

Position: Midfielder

Primary Club: Inter Milan

Other Clubs: Real Madrid, Ajax

Greatest Honor:  Inter Milan Treble 2010

Goals/App:  79/300

Most Suited EPL Team: Spurs

Video

Luis Figo (POR)

Shirlaine Forrest/Getty Images

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JUNE 06: Luis Figo participates in Soccer Aid in aid of UNICEF at Old Trafford on June 6, 2010 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shirlaine Forrest/Getty Images)

Name: Luis Figo

Nationality: Portuguese

Position: Central Midfielder

Primary Club: Barcelona

Other Clubs: Real Madrid, Inter Milan

Greatest Honor:  Balloon D' Or 2000 Winner

Goals/App:  139/785

Most Suited EPL Team: Newcastle United

Video

Ronaldinho (BRA)

Claudio Villa/Getty Images

MILAN, ITALY - DECEMBER 08: Ronaldinho of AC Milan and Eyong Enoh of AFC Ajax compete for the ball during the UEFA Champions League Group G match between AC Milan and AFC Ajax at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 8, 2010 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Clau

Name: Ronaldinho

Nationality: Brazilian

Position: Attacking Midfielder

Primary Club: Barcelona

Other Clubs: Milan, PSG

Greatest Honor:  Ballon d' Or 2005 Winner

Goals/App:  170/419

Most Suited EPL Team: Arsenal

Video

Mark Van Bommel (NED)

Roberto Serra/Getty Images

VERONA, ITALY - FEBRUARY 20: Mark Van Bommel of Milan in action during the Serie A match between AC Chievo Verona and AC Milan at Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi on February 20, 2011 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Roberto Serra/Getty Images)

Name: Mark Van Bommel

Nationality: Dutch

Position: Defensive Midfielder

Primary Club: Barcelona

Other Clubs: Milan, Bayern Munich, PSV

Greatest Honor:  Dutch Footballer of the Year: 2001, 2005

Goals/App: 87/607

Most Suited EPL Team: Liverpool

Video

Ludovic Giuly (FRA)

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

PARIS - MAY 01: Paris Saint-Germain's French Striker Ludovic Giuly holds the trophy to celebrate the winning of the French Cup final between Paris Saint Germain football club and A.S Monaco at Stade de France on May 1, 2010 in Paris, France. Paris Saint G

Name: Ludvic Guily

Nationality: French

Position: Winger/Midfielder

Primary Club: Barcelona

Other Clubs: PSG

Greatest Honor:  Champions League Winner 2006: Barcelona

Goals/App:  ?

Most Suited EPL Team: Blackburn Rovers

Video

Rui Costa (POR)

Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

LISBON, PORTUGAL - APRIL 12: Rui Costa of Benfica appeals for a penalty during the UEFA Cup quarter final second leg match between Benfica and Espanyol at the Luz Stadium on April 12, 2007 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Name: Rui Costa

Nationality: Portuguese

Position: Attacking Midfielder

Primary Club: Benfica

Other Clubs: Fiorentina, Milan

Greatest Honor:  FIFA 100

Goals/App:  97/675

Most Suited EPL Team: Manchester United

Video

Gheorghe Hagi (ROM)

Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

4 Aug 2000: Gheorghe Hagi of Galatasaray in action during the Opel Masters pre-season tournament against Bayern Munich played at the Olympic Stadium in Munich, Germany. Bayern won the game 1-0. \ Mandatory Credit: Jamie McDonald /Allsport

Name: Gheorghe Hagi

Nationality: Romanian

Position: Attacking Midfielder

Primary Club: Galatasary

Other Clubs: Real Madrid, Barcelona

Greatest Honor:  FIFA 100

Goals/App:  236/513

Most Suited EPL Team: Chelsea

Video

Dejan Stanković (SER)

Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images

FLORENCE, ITALY - FEBRUARY 16: Dejan Stankovic of FC Internazionale Milano in action during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and FC Internazionale Milano at Stadio Artemio Franchi on February 16, 2011 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltin

Name: Dejan Stankovic

Nationality: Serbian

Position: Central Midfielder

Primary Club: Internazionale

Other Clubs: Belgrade, Lazio

Greatest Honor:  Serbian Player of the Year: 2006, 2010

Goals/App:  105/580

Most Suited EPL Team: Liverpool

Video

Clarence Seedorf (NED)

Dino Panato/Getty Images

MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 12: Clarence Seedorf of Milan celebrates after scoring his opening goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Parma FC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 12, 2011 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Dino Panato/Getty Images)

Name: Clarence Seedorf

Nationality: Dutch

Position: Winger/Midfielder

Primary Club: Milan

Other Clubs: Real Madrid, Ajax

Greatest Honor:  FIFA 100

Goals/App: 103/726

Most Suited EPL Team: Arsenal

Video

Michael Laudrup (DEN)

Stu Forster/Getty Images

2 Jan 1998: Brian Laudrop of Rangers in action during the Scottish FA Premier Leauge match against Celtic at Celtic Park in Glasgow, Scotland. Celtic won the match 2-0. \ Mandatory Credit: Stu Forster /Allsport

Name: Michel Laudrup

Nationality: Danish

Position: Winger/Midfielder

Primary Club: Barcelona

Other Clubs: Juventus

Greatest Honor:  Danish Player of the Year: 1982, 1985

Goals/App:  122/487

Most Suited EPL Team: Manchester United

Video

Diego Maradona (ARG)

Joern Pollex/Getty Images

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 03: Diego Maradona head coach of Argentina controls the ball on the touchline during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Quarter Final match between Argentina and Germany at Green Point Stadium on July 3, 2010 in Cape Town

Name: Diego Maradona

Nationality: Argentine

Position: Winger/Midfielder/Second Striker

Primary Club: Napoli

Other Clubs: Barcelona

Greatest Honor:  Player of the Century

Goals/App:  311/589

Most Suited EPL Team: Any Team

Video

Lionel Messi

David Ramos/Getty Images

BARCELONA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 20: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona runs with the ball during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao at Camp Nou on February 20, 2011 in Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona won 2-1. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images

Name: Lionel Messi

Nationality: Argentine

Position: Midfielder/Winger/Forward

Primary Club: Barcelona

Greatest Honor:  2 Time Ballon D' Or Winner: 2009, 2010

Goals/App: 168/250

Most Suited EPL Team: Chelsea

Video

Emerson (Brazil)

Bagu Blanco/Getty Images

BARCELONA, SPAIN - DECEMBER 17: Emerson of Real Madrid and Luis Garcia of Espanyol in action during the match between RCD Espanyol and Real Madrid, of La Liga, on December 17, 2006 at the Lluis Companys stadium in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Bagu Blanco/G

Name: Emerson

Nationality: Brazilian

Position: Midfielder

Primary Club: Real Madrid, Milan, Juventus

Goals/App: 49/470

Most Suited EPL Team: Sunderland

Lucho Gonzalez (ARG)

Michael Steele/Getty Images

MARSEILLE, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 15: Lucho Gonzalez of Marseille during the UEFA Champions League Group F match between Olympique Marseille and Spartak Moscow at the Stade Velodrome on September 15, 2010 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty

Name: Lucho Gonzalez

Nationality: Argentine

Position: Midfielder

Primary Club: Porto

Other Clubs: Marseille

Greatest Honor: 4 time Primeira League Champion

Goals/App:  ?

Most Suited EPL Team: Liverpool

Video

Juninho (BRA)

Michael Steele/Getty Images

LYON, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 17: Juninho of Lyon during the UEFA Champions League Group F match between Lyon and Fiorentina at the Stade de Gerland on September 17, 2008 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Name: Juninho

Nationality: Brazilian

Position: Midfielder

Primary Club: Lyon

Greatest Honor:  7 time Ligue 1 Winner

Goals/App:  138/509

Most Suited EPL Team: Arsenal

Video

Honourable Mentions

Joern Pollex/Getty Images

PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 10: Marko Marin of Germany celebrates victory and third place following the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Third Place Play-off match between Uruguay and Germany at The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on July 10, 2010 in

Marko Marin: Arsenal

Frank Ribery: Manchester United

Guti H: Blackburn Rovers

Aerial Ortega: Bolton

Diego Simeone: West Ham United