The top 20 footballers who never won the Premier League

Elusive trophy success

Some of the finest footballers in Premier League history never tasted title success. Despite undoubted skill and unforgettable performances, a winner’s medal eluded them. This is a tribute to 20 elite players whose talent was undeniable, even if the ultimate team prize slipped through their fingers.

20. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink

Hasselbaink was a ruthless goalscorer, winning the Premier League Golden Boot twice — once with Leeds and once with Chelsea. His sharp movement, thunderous shot and predatory instincts made him a nightmare for defenders. But despite his individual brilliance, he never had the squad around him capable of pushing for the title. His Chelsea stint came just before the Roman Abramovich era transformed the club into champions.

18. Gianluca Vialli

Vialli brought continental sophistication to Chelsea in the late 1990s. Though his technical ability and leadership were clear, he joined the club during a transitional phase. While he lifted several cups — including the FA Cup and League Cup — a proper title challenge was always out of reach. As both player and manager, he elevated Chelsea, but the league crown came just too late.

17. Paul McGrath

Despite persistent injuries, McGrath was a towering presence at the back and one of the most naturally gifted defenders of his generation. His reading of the game and timing in the tackle made him a standout, especially at Aston Villa. However, he spent much of his career in mid-table teams that couldn’t match his pedigree. His best years coincided with sides that lacked the depth and ambition for a real title push.

16. Javier Mascherano

Mascherano’s time in the Premier League was marked by relentless energy, positional discipline and fierce competitiveness. He was a crucial figure in Liverpool’s midfield, doing the dirty work and giving flair players room to shine. Yet, Liverpool were in a turbulent period during his stint and never sustained a serious title bid. His talents were better rewarded later at Barcelona, where he became a serial winner.

15. David Ginola

Ginola was a joy to watch — a winger with elegance, flair and an eye for the spectacular. He lit up the league with Newcastle and Spurs, dazzling defenders and fans alike. His PFA Players' Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year double in 1999 came in a season when Spurs finished mid-table, underlining just how far ahead of his teammates he was. His artistry deserved more than just individual plaudits.

14. Matt Le Tissier

Le Tissier stayed loyal to Southampton throughout his career, producing moments of brilliance unmatched by most attackers of his era. His vision, touch and ability to score stunning goals made him a fan favourite. He chose loyalty over ambition, spending his prime years in a side regularly battling relegation, yet he still stood out as a class act.

13. Marcel Desailly

Desailly arrived at Chelsea as a World Cup and Champions League winner. However, during his time at Stamford Bridge, the club were still building towards being serious contenders. By the time the West Londoners turned into a title-winning force, the towering French defender had already departed.

12. Les Ferdinand

Ferdinand was one of the Premier League’s most consistent forwards, known for his aerial dominance and lethal finishing. He hit 40 league goals in just two seasons with QPR (per Transfermarkt) and then nearly fired Newcastle to the title. Despite his heroics, silverware eluded him, largely due to his clubs falling just short of the top sides. Overall, he scored an incredible 149 Premier League goals, without a single league medal.

10. Fernando Torres

Torres’ early years at Liverpool were electrifying — he was quick, clinical and almost unplayable on his day. In 2008–09, he helped Liverpool push Manchester United close, but the squad lacked the depth to see it through. Injuries and form would eventually catch up with him, and his later move to Chelsea didn’t reignite his best self. For a time, he was arguably the best striker in the world — but it wasn’t enough for Premier League glory.

9. Gianfranco Zola

Zola brought a touch of genius to the Premier League with Chelsea in the late 1990s. His creativity, vision and ability to produce something from nothing made him a fan favourite and a nightmare for defenders. He helped Chelsea to several cup successes, but a league title never came during his spell. The team simply wasn’t strong enough over a full season to match his flair.

8. Paul Gascoigne

Gascoigne’s time in the Premier League was relatively short, but his ability was never in doubt. A uniquely gifted playmaker with unmatched technical skill, his potential impact was held back by injuries and off-pitch troubles. By the time he returned from Italy, the game had moved on, and he never got to play in a side truly capable of challenging for the title. His peak arguably came before the Premier League era began.

7. Xabi Alonso

Alonso’s passing range and football intelligence made him one of the finest midfielders of his generation. At Liverpool, he helped orchestrate play with calm precision, forming the backbone of a team that won the Champions League but faltered domestically. In 2008–09, they came closest, but again fell short in the final stretch. It was only after moving to Real Madrid and then Bayern that his trophy cabinet began to match his ability.

6. Ruud Gullit

Gullit was already a Ballon d’Or winner and European champion when he joined Chelsea as a player-manager. Even in his twilight years, his class was obvious — strong, skilful and tactically sharp. However, the Chelsea side he joined in the mid-90s wasn’t equipped to challenge for the Premier League. His influence helped change the club’s fortunes long-term, but the title never came while he was on the pitch.

5. Luka Modrić

Modrić spent four seasons at Tottenham, quietly establishing himself as one of the league's most gifted midfielders. His vision, balance and ability to control the tempo set him apart, but he often carried the team creatively and the lack of quality around him limited their potential. It was only after joining Real Madrid when Modrić went on to become one of the most decorated players in modern football, winning multiple Champions Leagues and a Ballon d’Or.

4. Luis Suárez

Suárez’s 2013–14 season was one of the greatest individual campaigns in Premier League history. He scored 31 goals in 33 games (per Transfermarkt) in a relentless assault on opposition defences. Liverpool came heartbreakingly close to the title that year, but defensive frailties and late-season slip-ups cost them. Despite the controversy that followed him, few could match his ability and his legacy remains that of a player let down by timing.

3. Gareth Bale

At his peak in the Premier League, Bale was unplayable — blistering pace, long-range screamers and match-winning performances week after week. In the 2012–13 season, he dragged Tottenham to the edge of the Champions League places almost single-handedly, but Spurs lacked the squad depth and consistency to mount a title challenge. Bale’s brilliance couldn’t make up for a team that always fell short.

2. Harry Kane

Kane’s goalscoring record speaks for itself — a consistent, clinical finisher with exceptional movement and intelligence. Year after year, he delivered for Tottenham, becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer and eventually the Premier League’s second-highest. Again, Spurs never built a team capable of supporting his ambition, often falling short in big moments or slipping out of contention entirely.

Moved for medals

After nearly a decade of personal excellence without silverware, Kane made the difficult choice to leave for Bayern Munich to end his trophy curse, eventually winning the Bundesliga in 2024-25. His decision underlined the disconnect between his elite level and the limitations of the club he loved. His departure felt inevitable — and overdue. Few players have done more for a team without lifting the Premier League trophy...

1. Steven Gerrard

Gerrard was the heart and soul of Liverpool for over a decade — a midfielder of immense drive, power and leadership. He won almost every major trophy on offer except the Premier League, despite leading Liverpool through some heroic title pushes. The closest he came was 2013–14, when one fateful slip against Chelsea symbolised the fine margins of the game.