Without the contributions of some of the best players in history, the Premier League would not have gained the fame it has had for a number of years. The elite of British football has established itself as one of the world’s most competitive leagues thanks to players from all over the world.
Naturally, many Americans are included in this. Additionally, even though they are not as numerous as their counterparts in Europe or South America, they have all contributed in some manner to England’s ascent to the top of the world football rankings. One of the most concrete instances is this rating of the top 10.
Factors that rank
Direct impact: Winning trophies and statistics.
A player’s legacy and reputation in the Premier League are examples of indirect impact.
10John Harkes
Sheffield Wednesday, West Ham United, Nottingham Forest
There are perhaps some players who have influenced the Premier League more than John Harkes from a strictly athletic perspective. However, the fact that the former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder, who joined the team in 1990, became the first American player in history to set foot on the newly established competition’s grass on August 19, 1992, is sufficient to validate his position.
The beginning of a journey that would see the American icon play in 43 games in the neo-elite of English football, including three in Nottingham Forest’s colours and eleven in West Ham’s.
9Geoff Cameron
Stoke City
Geoff Cameron is undoubtedly not the first name that comes to mind when one thinks of the greatest American players to have played in the Premier League, but the defender has made a far greater impact than many of his countrymen. The 55-cap international (two goals) with the United States is still the second American outfield player with the most appearances in English football’s elite (168), and those numbers speak for themselves regarding how consistently he performs at the highest level.
8Claudio Reyna
Sunderland, Manchester City
Even though Claudio Reyna was a terrific player and is still considered one of the best American players in the history of the game, his Premier League career was, to put it mildly, a mixed bag. And not because of his inherent abilities or technical prowess, which everyone knew existed, but rather because of persistent physical issues that kept him from exhibiting any true consistency.
Premier League Statistics for Claudio Reyna (2001-2007)
Looks
105
Objectives
7.
Helps
One
Despite this, the former attacking midfielder played there for five and a half years, totalling 105 games between his 2001 Sunderland debut and his winter 2007 exit from Manchester City.
7Antonee Robinson
Everton, Fulham
Despite being born in England, Antonee Robinson has chosen to swear allegiance on the international front to the United States, his father’s adopted nation. It is a wise decision for both the USMNT, which has one of the best players in his position in the Premier League, and him, who already has about 50 caps.
The Fulham left-back, who has more than 130 appearances for the top teams in English football as of this writing, has the potential to surpass all other American outfield players in terms of career appearances. One of his distinguished forebears held this record. As a spoiler, he is at the top.
6Carlos Bocanegra
Fulham
Carlos Bocanegra has spent the most of his career in Europe, despite the fact that his only individual and collective victories occurred in Major League Soccer. Additionally, the center-back’s first experience with the ball on the Old Continent occurred in the Premier League. He played at Fulham for over five years, making 116 league appearances during that time.
A player who immediately established himself as a favourite at Craven Cottage, his supporters especially value his defensive prowess and goal-scoring abilities. He was even named the team’s second most decisive player at the end of the 2006–07 season—behind one of his countrymen.
5Brian McBride
Everton, Fulham
The latter is Brian McBride, who made his debut with Everton in the English Premier League. The striker’s success at Fulham nearly erased the memories of his brief but successful tenure on the banks of the Mersey. The impact of the Arlington Heights native in West London is certainly not anecdotal, it must be noted.
“McHead,” who was twice named the Cottagers’ Player of the Year, was particularly noteworthy for the crucial goals he scored. One example is the last sprint of the 2007–08 season. The USA international (98 caps, 30 goals) defeated the rival keeper three times to help Fulham secure an unlikely survival after recovering from a protracted injury that kept him out of action for several months.
4Christian Pulisic
Chelsea
Making an impression on history can be done in a variety of ways. Pulisic achieved this by becoming the most costly American player in history. A significant milestone was reached in 2019 when he moved from Borussia Dortmund to Chelsea for $73 million (£57.6 million).
The amount was commensurate with his impressive start in the German league. The American winger can proudly claim that he won a Champions League, a Club World Cup, and a European Supercup during his four seasons at Stamford Bridge, even if they weren’t fully deserved.
3Tim Howard
Manchester United, Everton
Tim Howard is without a doubt one of the most remarkable goalkeepers to have ever played in the Premier League. The dynamic American goalie had a very successful English journey, starting with his early days at Manchester United and continuing through his 10 seasons with Everton, where he rose to fame.
A player’s constancy in performing was just as memorable as his unique flair. He was able to participate in 399 Premier League games, keep 132 clean sheets, and be selected for the PFA Team of the Year at the conclusion of the 2003–04 campaign because of all of these criteria.
2Brad Friedel
Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur
Just mentioning Brad Friedel is enough to conjure up the American who has made the most Premier League appearances. Does that prove he is a legend in the English league? It may. Either way, the American keeper is perfect.
He is the player with the most appearances (310 between August 14, 2004, and September 29, 2012) since the competition’s inception in 1992, in addition to having played 450 games overall for four different clubs (Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa, and Tottenham Hotspur). In addition, he has maintained a clean sheet 132 times in 16 seasons.
1Clint Dempsey
Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur
There aren’t many situations where the $4 million (£2 million) return on investment has been as alluring as Fulham’s with Clint Dempsey. Indeed, we are discussing one of the greatest bargains in Premier League history. Could it have been any different for one of the best American football players in history?
The Texan striker demonstrated to the world that Americans are capable of handling the round ball, and he was a leading figure in the ‘Fulhamerica’ movement that swept through the London club in the 2000s. could even make it larger. He has played for the Cottagers 189 times in the first division, scoring 50 goals and winning Player of the Year twice in a row. He was a crucial part of the team’s journey to the 2010 Europa League final (his goal against Juventus was legendary).
