The 10 most influential Italians to grace the Premier League

A story of highs and lows

Italian players haven’t always found England to be a welcoming stage. Like many of their English peers abroad, their experiences in the Premier League have been a mix of triumphs and misfires. While some lit up the league with elegance and vision, others made headlines for fleeting form or off-field drama. In this list, we celebrate the ten Italians who stood out.

10. Graziano Pellè

Pellè arrived at Southampton in 2014 from Feyenoord, reuniting with manager Ronald Koeman. His Premier League stint only lasted two seasons but yielded 23 league goals in 68 appearances, according to Transfermarkt. A strong target man with deft touches and acrobatic finishes, Pellè helped the Saints reach the top six and qualify for Europe.

9. Fabrizio Ravanelli

On the back of winning the Champions League with Juventus in 1996, Ravanelli arrived at Middlesbrough and made an immediate impact, scoring a hat-trick against Liverpool (pictured) on his debut. Though his first season ended in relegation, he scored 16 league goals, per Transfermarkt, and lit up the Riverside with his quality and swagger.

Struggling teams

The Italian's spell in the north-east was short-lived but followed by a second stint at Derby County three years later, where, again, he stood out in a struggling team, scoring nine in the Premier League before being relegated. He was one of the first high-profile Italians to move to England, bringing a new level of glamour to the country.

8. Sandro Tonali

Newcastle United signed Tonali from AC Milan in 2023 for €58.9 million (£50m/$64.2m), according to Transfermarkt. He made a bright start, scoring on his Premier League debut, but his season was soon cut short by a betting suspension. After serving his ban, Tonali returned in 2024–25 with renewed focus and energy.

League Cup winner

In just one full season post-suspension, he’s rebuilt his image and proved his potential to be a Premier League star for years to come. Tonali played a key role in Newcastle’s 2025 Carabao Cup win and in helping the Magpies qualify for the Champions League.

7. Carlo Cudicini

Signed by Chelsea in 1999 from Castel di Sangro, Cudicini eventually became the club’s first-choice goalkeeper. Calm and athletic, he was voted Chelsea’s Player of the Year in 2002. He kept 101 clean sheets during his Premier League career (per Transfermarkt).

Safe hands

After being displaced by Petr Cech, Cudicini later served as a reliable backup at Tottenham, proving his professionalism throughout. While not as headline-grabbing as some keepers, he was often described as one of the best goalkeepers never to play for Italy.

6. Mario Balotelli

Balotelli joined Manchester City from Inter Milan in 2010 with a reputation for both brilliance and unpredictability. His backheel miss against LA Galaxy, fireworks in the bathroom and a T-shirt reading 'Why Always Me?' became iconic in their own right. That said, according to Transfermarkt, he still scored 13 Premier League goals in the 2011–12 season and played a key role in City's first title win in over four decades.

5. Gianluca Vialli

Vialli joined Chelsea in 1996 after a glittering career at Juventus. He scored 44 goals for the club in 88 appearances, according to Transfermarkt, and played a key role in the club’s rise under Ruud Gullit. Although in his twilight years and with competition for places limiting his appearances, his goals were often decisive.

Influence beyond goals

His impact off the pitch was enormous, too. He took over as Chelsea’s player-manager in 1998, becoming the first Italian to manage in the league. Under his guidance, Chelsea lifted the League Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup, setting foundations for future success. His leadership and class made him a transformative figure in West London.

4. Roberto Di Matteo

Signed from Lazio in 1996, Di Matteo became a key part of Chelsea’s midfield during the late 90s. He scored the opening goal in the 1997 FA Cup final just 43 seconds in, helping the club end a 26-year trophy drought. Composed, technically sound and tactically sharp, he made 119 Premier League appearances, per Transfermarkt.

Full circle

Di Matteo’s playing career was cut short by injury, but his time in the Premier League was significant. He was part of the club’s transition from mid-table to domestic contenders. Years later, he returned to manage Chelsea and won the Champions League in 2012, completing his unique Stamford Bridge legacy.

3. Paolo Di Canio

First turning out for Sheffield Wednesday in 1997, Di Canio later moved to West Ham, where he produced some of the most memorable moments of his career. His outrageous volley against Wimbledon in 2000 remains one of the Premier League’s all-time great goals. A volatile character, he combined skill with showmanship and unpredictability.

Contradictions

Di Canio was as famous for his technical brilliance as for his fiery temper. He pushed referee Paul Alcock in 1998, earning an 11-match ban, but also won the FIFA Fair Play Award for catching the ball instead of scoring when the opposing keeper was injured. His legacy is one of contradictions – brilliant, erratic and unforgettable.

2. Jorginho

Jorginho arrived from Napoli in 2018 with Maurizio Sarri and divided opinion early on. His measured, methodical style didn’t always convince fans, but he quietly became central to Chelsea’s rhythm and balance. He played a vital role in their 2020–21 Champions League-winning side and was often the calmest head under pressure.

A quiet leader at two clubs

Jorginho moved to London rivals Arsenal in January 2023, where his experience proved valuable in a young team chasing trophies. Known for his penalty-taking style and metronomic passing, he added maturity, control and understated leadership whenever he played.

1. Gianfranco Zola

When Zola joined Chelsea from Parma in 1996, he transformed the way English fans viewed attacking football. At just 5'6", he danced through defences with outrageous skill and turned games with a flick, backheel or curling free-kick. In his debut season, he won the Football Writers’ Player of the Year and, according to The Independent, became the first player to do so without having played the full season.