TOP 5: Premier League's Greatest Germans
Germany are probably Europe's most decorated footballing nation, having won four world cups and three European Championships. However, despite the success of the international team, many of the nation's best players have largely remained in their homeland for the vast majority of their career's. Therefore, despite being Europe's top footballing nation; when you think of the Premier League's greatest players, surprisingly very few are German.
Nevertheless, although German players have largely stayed away from English shores, there has been a handful of whom have decided to test themselves in the world' most exciting league. Players such as Lukas Podolski, Andre Schurrle, Jens Lehmann and Markus Babbel were all decent players when playing in England, but unfortunately none have made the Top 5. Bastian Schweinsteiger is probably the best and most decorated player to grace the Premier League, but unfortunately he has been omitted because of the torrid time he endured whilst at Manchester United.
Now onto the list of the Premier League's Top 5 Greatest Germans. Which powerful German defender takes the number 5 spot? Which reliable central midfielder makes the list? And where does Mesut Ozil rank? Find out the answer to all these questions in the following pages.
*Thank you to Luke Marsh (@LukeDanielMarsh) for helping me compile this list.
5) Robert Huth
For the first 13 years of his career Robert Huth could only be considered a good Premier League player; nothing more, nothing less.
The powerful German defender started his career at Chelsea, where he struggled to establish himself in the first team. In his 5 seasons there, he would only appear in 42 games. A move to Middlesbrough followed and again he struggled to make his mark in English football.
But a move to Stoke City in 2009 truly ignited his career. Stoke's route-one style of play seemed perfect for Huth. It allowed him to do what defenders love doing and what Huth does best: heading and kicking. It was this stint at Stoke which established himself as a no-nonsense defender who was assured in defence, whilst also providing a considerable threat from set-pieces. His 6 year spell at the Potters brought about 13 goals and 142 games. At this point he was now a solid Premier League player, but he was certainly not a great.
But what he achieved in the 2015/2016 season with Leicester City secured his status as a great. Although he was not considered one of the main players in Leicester's miraculous title winning campaign, he was nonetheless a key component whose partnership with Wes Morgan at the back created one of the meanest defences in the league.
Huth played a pivotal role in creating one of the biggest shocks in Premier League history. For that reason alone, he has to be considered one of the greatest Germans to play on English soil.
4) Jurgen Klinsmann
World Cup winner. European Championship winner. What Klinsmann achieved in the game sets him apart from other Germans that have played in the league.
Unfortunately, whereas he could be considered one of the best players to play in the Premier League, he cannot be considered one of the greatest due to only spending one and a half seasons in English football. But what a stint it was.
At the age of 30, the controversial striker completed a £2 million move from AS Monaco to Tottenham. Known primarily for his goal scoring capabilities, unfortunately for Klinsmann, he also had a reputation for diving. As a result, he was berated heavily in the media in the lead up to his transfer.
But Klinsmann would win over the hearts of the majority of England on his debut. After netting on his debut, he produced one of the most memorable celebrations in English history by diving onto the floor, making light of his reputation. He quickly became a fan-favourite.
The German would go on to net 30 times in all competitions that season. Although he would move to Bayern in the summer after just one season, he had still managed to etch his name in Premier League history. The German would return in 1997/1998 to Tottenham for half a season, where his 9 goals in 15 games helped steer the North London club away from the threat of relegation.
Klinsmann played 68 times in English football, scoring 39 goals. In total, he scored 277 career goals in 614 games. He also added 40 goals in 82 international games. If the forward had stayed in England for a few more seasons and kept up his scoring prowess, he would easily have gone down as the Premier League's greatest German.
1) Michael Ballack
Do you agree with the list? Or do you think think that I've missed someone out and want argue your case? Let me know by commenting on this post or by messaging me on twitter: @JamesStroud1995 @FootballAddick
Nevertheless, although German players have largely stayed away from English shores, there has been a handful of whom have decided to test themselves in the world' most exciting league. Players such as Lukas Podolski, Andre Schurrle, Jens Lehmann and Markus Babbel were all decent players when playing in England, but unfortunately none have made the Top 5. Bastian Schweinsteiger is probably the best and most decorated player to grace the Premier League, but unfortunately he has been omitted because of the torrid time he endured whilst at Manchester United.
Now onto the list of the Premier League's Top 5 Greatest Germans. Which powerful German defender takes the number 5 spot? Which reliable central midfielder makes the list? And where does Mesut Ozil rank? Find out the answer to all these questions in the following pages.
*Thank you to Luke Marsh (@LukeDanielMarsh) for helping me compile this list.
5) Robert Huth
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| Robert Huth entered Premier League folklore with Leicester's amazing title win in 2016 |
For the first 13 years of his career Robert Huth could only be considered a good Premier League player; nothing more, nothing less.
The powerful German defender started his career at Chelsea, where he struggled to establish himself in the first team. In his 5 seasons there, he would only appear in 42 games. A move to Middlesbrough followed and again he struggled to make his mark in English football.
But a move to Stoke City in 2009 truly ignited his career. Stoke's route-one style of play seemed perfect for Huth. It allowed him to do what defenders love doing and what Huth does best: heading and kicking. It was this stint at Stoke which established himself as a no-nonsense defender who was assured in defence, whilst also providing a considerable threat from set-pieces. His 6 year spell at the Potters brought about 13 goals and 142 games. At this point he was now a solid Premier League player, but he was certainly not a great.
But what he achieved in the 2015/2016 season with Leicester City secured his status as a great. Although he was not considered one of the main players in Leicester's miraculous title winning campaign, he was nonetheless a key component whose partnership with Wes Morgan at the back created one of the meanest defences in the league.
Huth played a pivotal role in creating one of the biggest shocks in Premier League history. For that reason alone, he has to be considered one of the greatest Germans to play on English soil.
4) Jurgen Klinsmann
 |
| Jurgen Klinsmann's famous 'dive' celebration after scoring on his debut |
World Cup winner. European Championship winner. What Klinsmann achieved in the game sets him apart from other Germans that have played in the league.
Unfortunately, whereas he could be considered one of the best players to play in the Premier League, he cannot be considered one of the greatest due to only spending one and a half seasons in English football. But what a stint it was.
At the age of 30, the controversial striker completed a £2 million move from AS Monaco to Tottenham. Known primarily for his goal scoring capabilities, unfortunately for Klinsmann, he also had a reputation for diving. As a result, he was berated heavily in the media in the lead up to his transfer.
But Klinsmann would win over the hearts of the majority of England on his debut. After netting on his debut, he produced one of the most memorable celebrations in English history by diving onto the floor, making light of his reputation. He quickly became a fan-favourite.
The German would go on to net 30 times in all competitions that season. Although he would move to Bayern in the summer after just one season, he had still managed to etch his name in Premier League history. The German would return in 1997/1998 to Tottenham for half a season, where his 9 goals in 15 games helped steer the North London club away from the threat of relegation.
Klinsmann played 68 times in English football, scoring 39 goals. In total, he scored 277 career goals in 614 games. He also added 40 goals in 82 international games. If the forward had stayed in England for a few more seasons and kept up his scoring prowess, he would easily have gone down as the Premier League's greatest German.
3) Dietmar Hamann
Number 3 on my list is former Newcastle, Liverpool and Manchester City man, Dietmar Hamann. The midfielder played 11 seasons in the Premier League and was more than effectual at all three clubs that he represented.
The German started his career at Bayern Munich and after five seasons in his homeland, he made the move to Newcastle for £5.5 million in 1998. Despite being a defensive minded player in the middle of the park, Hamman had his best goal-scoring season in English football with the Magpies as he notched 5 goals in all competitions.
Hamann clearly had a good start to life in England, and he was rewarded for his good season after he completed an £8 million move to Liverpool. It was at the Merseyside club where he showed his true quality. In his seven seasons at the club, Hamman played an influential role as he guided his teams to success in all competitions barring the Premier League.
Known primarily for his reliability and composure on the ball, it could be argued that Hamann was a major reason why Liverpool won the Champions League in 2005. 3-0 down at half time and being completely dominated by AC Milan, Rafael Benitez chose to introduce the German in place of Steve Finnan. What a decision that proved to be. Liverpool immediately looked a transformed team as they fought back to 3-3, before winning on penalties.
Towards the end of his career, the German made the move to Manchester City where he saw out his playing days in the Premier League. In total, Hamman made 396 appearances in England's top flight, scoring 17 goals. Although he won very few personal accolades, the midfielder was a reliable and consistent player who rarely put a foot wrong for any of the clubs he played for.
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| Hamman's introduction at half time was the catalyst which sparked Liverpool's comeback in the 2005 Champions League Final |
Number 3 on my list is former Newcastle, Liverpool and Manchester City man, Dietmar Hamann. The midfielder played 11 seasons in the Premier League and was more than effectual at all three clubs that he represented.
The German started his career at Bayern Munich and after five seasons in his homeland, he made the move to Newcastle for £5.5 million in 1998. Despite being a defensive minded player in the middle of the park, Hamman had his best goal-scoring season in English football with the Magpies as he notched 5 goals in all competitions.
Hamann clearly had a good start to life in England, and he was rewarded for his good season after he completed an £8 million move to Liverpool. It was at the Merseyside club where he showed his true quality. In his seven seasons at the club, Hamman played an influential role as he guided his teams to success in all competitions barring the Premier League.
Known primarily for his reliability and composure on the ball, it could be argued that Hamann was a major reason why Liverpool won the Champions League in 2005. 3-0 down at half time and being completely dominated by AC Milan, Rafael Benitez chose to introduce the German in place of Steve Finnan. What a decision that proved to be. Liverpool immediately looked a transformed team as they fought back to 3-3, before winning on penalties.
Towards the end of his career, the German made the move to Manchester City where he saw out his playing days in the Premier League. In total, Hamman made 396 appearances in England's top flight, scoring 17 goals. Although he won very few personal accolades, the midfielder was a reliable and consistent player who rarely put a foot wrong for any of the clubs he played for.
2) Mesut Ozil
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| Mesut Ozil has won the German Footballer of the Year 5 times: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016 |
In my opinion the second best German to grace the Premier League is Mesut Ozil. The creative midfielder has been criticised for his inconsistency and failure to perform to his best against the league's top teams, but he has shown enough quality in the past few years to highlight his status as one of the best play-makers currently in English football.
Ozil arrived in England with a world-class reputation having been a key component at Real Madrid for three seasons. His £42.5 million transfer to Arsenal made him the most expensive German player of all time.
A creative player with fantastic technical ability, Ozil possesses the quality needed to break down any opposition defence. Although he does not get on the score-sheet as much as a player of his calibre probably should do, he instead stands out through the sheer amount of assists he manages to rack up per season.
In total, Ozil has played 107 times in the Premier League, scoring 21 goals. He has also racked up an impressive tally of 43 assists, meaning he possesses a goal or assist ratio of 0.6 per game. This included a superb 2015/2016 season where he led the league with 19 assists. The World Cup winner has also scored 21 times in 84 appearances for his country.
Unfortunately for Ozil, as I mentioned above he still has many critics. This season in particular he has not been at his best, and this poor form has also coincided with Arsenal's struggles in recent times. However at 28, Ozil has proven his talent in the Premier League and he has time on his side as he looks to add to his legacy in world football.
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| Many have described Michael Ballack as one of the most complete midfielders of his generation |
This was not a straight forward decision but in the end I chose Michael Ballack as the Greatest German to play in the Premier League. The powerful German midfielder enjoyed a stellar career in world football, and his four seasons in England's top flight was enough to cement his position at the top of the pile.
Ballack made the move to Chelsea just before his 30th birthday. Prior to his move to West London, the attacking midfielder had established himself as one of the most prolific goal-scoring midfielders, having scored 85 goals in 207 appearances in his five seasons leading up to joining Chelsea.
Although he would not keep up this prolific goal-scoring run in the Premier League (mainly due to the extraordinary goal-scoring qualities of Frank Lampard), Ballack still contributed heavily in his four year stint.
A complete midfielder, there was not much that the German could not do. Not only did he possess a cannon of a right foot, but he also had very good technical ability, was strong, good in the air and could also fulfil his defensive duties.
During his time in England, Ballack won six major honours: three FA Cup's, one League Cup, one Community Shield and a solitary Premier League title. Although he would be outshone by Frank Lampard in an attacking sense, in comparison to his English counterpart he was a much more complete midfielder who contributed heavily both in defence and attack.
Unfortunately, we did not see the very best of Ballack due to him moving to English football just after his prime. However, his success both individually and collectively during his time at Chelsea, combined with the talent he showed earlier on his career and on the international stage, is enough to warrant naming him as the Greatest German the Premier League has ever seen.
Like the article? Be sure to follow me on Blogger and Social Media for future Top 5 posts! The next edition of TOP 5 will be based on 'The Premier League's Greatest Portuguese'. Thank you for reading!
Do you agree with the list? Or do you think think that I've missed someone out and want argue your case? Let me know by commenting on this post or by messaging me on twitter: @JamesStroud1995 @FootballAddick
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