The 10 Best Players Without a Premier League Medal

Since 1992, the Premier League has been graced by some of the greatest players to ever play the game. In total, exactly 300 players have collected winners’ medals. Today at EPLNews, we take a look at the 10 best Premier League players who did not.

10 – David Ginola

Critics will point to his inconsistency and poor work rate, but on his day, few players could match David Ginola’s flair. Brought to the Premier League in 1995 to become part of The Entertainers, Ginola made an immediate impact on Tyneside.

The Frenchman fit perfectly in Kevin Keegan’s free-flowing Newcastle side. Despite being on the losing side in the classic 4-3 against Liverpool, which damaged Newcastle’s title chances, Ginola’s talent shone through. Newcastle finished second in consecutive seasons.

After moving to Tottenham, title ambitions faded, but Ginola earned a spot in the PFA Team of the Year twice and was named PFA Players’ Player of the Year in 1999.

9 – Paul McGrath

One of the Premier League’s greatest defenders, Paul McGrath spent just five years in the competition towards the end of his career.

So outstanding was McGrath that he became the first PFA Players’ Player of the Year in the Premier League era, as Aston Villa finished second to McGrath’s old club, Manchester United.

8 – Matt Le Tissier

Arguably England’s most undercapped player, Matt Le Tissier featured just eight times for the national team. His loyalty to Southampton possibly cost him more England caps and a Premier League winners’ medal.

Le Tissier, nicknamed Le God, was brilliant at both creating and scoring goals. Despite playing for Southampton, he managed 0.72 goals and assists every 90 minutes in the Premier League. Twice, he surpassed 30 goal contributions in a season, but his highest Premier League finish was 10th.

7 – Paul Gascoigne

There’s an argument that Paul Gascoigne is the greatest player to have played in the Premier League without winning it.

Gascoigne’s talent was evident from his early days at Newcastle, attracting interest from top clubs, including Manchester United. A deal was hijacked by Tottenham, where Gascoigne spent four years before moving to Lazio for the Premier League’s inaugural season.

After three years in Italy and three more with Rangers in Scotland, Gascoigne made his Premier League debut in 1998 with Middlesbrough. He spent two seasons there before moving to Everton.

6 – Les Ferdinand

In the final years of Les Ferdinand’s career, he played for several clubs, including Tottenham, West Ham, Leicester, Bolton, Reading, and Watford. However, at his peak, he was among the best strikers in the country.

Ferdinand made his name at QPR, scoring 60 goals in the first three Premier League seasons. His goal-scoring prowess earned him a move to Newcastle, where his goals nearly led the team to a title, finishing second in consecutive seasons.

5 – Xabi Alonso

When Xabi Alonso joined Liverpool, the club was far from its best, having just sold Michael Owen. Despite this, Alonso emerged as a top-class midfielder.

Alonso won the Champions League in his first season and the FA Cup in his second. The arrival of Javier Mascherano allowed Steven Gerrard to play a more advanced role, contributing to Liverpool’s 2008/09 title challenge. However, they fell just short of Manchester United, and Alonso later moved to Real Madrid, where he won La Liga and added three Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich.

4 – Fernando Torres

Liverpool had a history of great goalscorers, but after Michael Owen’s departure in 2004, there was a void until Fernando Torres arrived in 2007.

Torres quickly adapted to the Premier League, averaging 9.85 shots per 90 minutes in his first three seasons at Liverpool. He helped the team finish second in 2009 but struggled with injuries towards the end of his Liverpool career and couldn’t replicate his form at Chelsea. Despite a seven-year Premier League stint, a winner’s medal eluded him.

3 – Luis Suarez

Luis Suarez thrilled the Premier League for only three-and-a-half years. His first 18 months were an adjustment period for both Suarez and Liverpool as they dealt with significant changes.

By his second full season, Suarez had become a superstar. He scored 23 goals in 2012/13, and in the following season, he formed a lethal partnership with Daniel Sturridge. Suarez scored 31 goals in 33 games, winning the European Golden Shoe and multiple Player of the Year awards, but missed out on the Premier League title.

2 – Gareth Bale

A promising talent at Southampton, Gareth Bale’s early Premier League days were marked by a 24-game winless streak at Tottenham. However, things improved significantly.

Initially an attacking full-back, Harry Redknapp moved Bale further upfield, where he thrived as a winger. By age 22, Bale was the league’s best player, scoring 20 goals in the 2012/13 season.

His performances earned him a world-record transfer to Real Madrid, where he became one of the greatest British footballers, though he never won a Premier League medal with Tottenham.

1 – Steven Gerrard

Steven Gerrard’s career is filled with highlights and unforgettable goals. From keeping Liverpool’s 2005 Champions League hopes alive with a crucial goal against Olympiakos to his equaliser in the 2006 FA Cup final, Gerrard’s contributions were immense.

Despite playing for a sub-par Liverpool team for much of his career, Gerrard won the League Cup, UEFA Cup, FA Cup, and Champions League. However, the Premier League title eluded him.

Gerrard came close in 2009, playing behind Fernando Torres as they combined for 30 goals. The closest he came was in 2014 when Liverpool mounted an unlikely title challenge under Brendan Rodgers. However, a slip against Chelsea allowed Demba Ba to score, and Liverpool’s title hopes vanished.

Gerrard twice considered moves to Chelsea but ultimately stayed at Liverpool, hoping to win the Premier League with his boyhood club. Unfortunately, it was a dream that forever eluded him.