Goalkeeper, David de Gea – David de Gea arrived in England to play for Man United aged only 20. When he left he was 32. A phenomenal shot-stopper, de Gea was particularly adept at saving with his feet. He was perhaps not the most commanding of his six-yard box, and merely ‘average’ with his distribution, but these did not stop him being named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year five times, including four in succession. It’s a narrow call over Pepe Reina in this selection but de Gea’s loyalty and longevity help him edge it.
Left-back, Marc Cucurella – Marc Cucurella rose to prominence in his first season in England, his all-action game and seemingly limitless stamina perfect for his team, Brighton’s, high-energy pressing style. He got off to a slow start after his big transfer to Chelsea, but has come through it to blossom into one of the best left-sided defenders in the PL, and a first choice for his country. He always seems to be there, whether in defence, midfield or getting up the left flank to support his attack or apply the press. He’s also a determined tackler, not averse to the occasional tactical foul where necessary, a true Spaniard.
Right-back, Cesar Azpilicueta – Another, like de Gea who has shown great loyalty, Azpilicueta made more than 500 appearances for Chelsea, playing at right and left back and as a right-sided centre half. Not blessed with elite speed, he relied more on his reading of the game and being in the right place at the right time. Always supremely committed and tenacious, with superb timing of the tackle, his disciplinary record was excellent. He was perhaps not the best at getting forward, but there is enough goalscoring threat in this team to compensate.
Centre-back, Aymeric Laporte – Laporte played at youth level for France, but chose in his early 20’s to play for the country where he started his senior career, Spain. He came to Man City in 2018 for a fee of £57m and earned a winner’s medal in his first season, the first of four. A left-sided central defender, he was supremely cool under pressure, both without the ball, responding to opposition attacks, and with the ball, possessing great control and passing ability. A little vulnerable to more aggressive centre forwards and annoyingly injury prone, he is nevertheless a shoo-in for this team.
Centre-back, Ivan Campo – A cult hero of 2000s football, Campo wins a place in this team for his old-school approach to defending. A real ‘thou shalt not pass’ type of player, his relish for the physical side of the game occasionally slipped into recklessness (his disciplinary record was poor to say the least – a yellow card every 3.7 matches) but meant he was well-suited to the demanding nature of the Premier League. A little susceptible to pace and prone to losses of concentration (and confidence), he nevertheless brings well-needed grit and determination to this side.
Defensive midfield, Rodri – There have been very few footballers playing in England who have won the Ballon d’Or in the last 25 years. (To be fair, Messi and Ronaldo did somewhat monopolise it). Rodri broke a 16-year drought when he was awarded the most prestigious award in football in 2024. He is the complete modern defensive midfielder, the ‘glue‘ that has held together both his national side and a hugely successful Man City team. He combines physical prowess, world-class reading of the game, technical ability and vision. He both protects his defence and supports his attack. If he has a weakness, it’s that he’s so good his teams ‘learn’ to rely on him too much. He’s the first name on this teamsheet.
Centre midfield, Xabi Alonso – It’s not surprise that Xabi Alonso has shown himself to be a top-class manager since he retired from playing. On the pitch, he was a natural leader who took charge and dictated the tempo that his team played to. Incredibly composed on the ball, he seemed to have more time than others, and always chose the right passing option. His long passing, or indeed shooting (he scored twice from inside his own half) was exceptional, and he himself posed a genuine threat from set-pieces.
Attacking midfield, Cesc Fabregas – A graduate of La Masia, Barcelona’s esteemed youth academy, Fabregas came to Arsenal aged only 16. He became a first-team regular while still in his teens, and was handed the captaincy at just 21 years old. When he returned to England after a spell at Barcelona, he won two league titles and two three trophies with Chelsea. His main strength was going forward, with great vision in his passing, superb close control to create space for himself and others, and a Lampard-like instinct for arriving late in the box to get his shot on target.
Attacking midfield, David Silva – Arguably the best Spaniard ever to play in the Premier League, David Silva was a central player in the rise to dominance of his Man City club from 2010-2020. Silva possessed incredible spatial awareness allied to exceptional ball control. Known as El Mago (the magician) he seemed to have eyes in the back of his head, always aware of where the defenders were, and where space could be found for his teammates. His speed of thought and deed created opportunities not just for others, but for himself as well – alongside his 93 assists in the PL he also managed to net 60 goals.
Centre forward, Fernando Torres – Fernando Torres arrived at Liverpool in 2007 aged 23 having already played over 200 games for Atletico Madrid. He announced himself in his first season, reaching 24 goals in only 33 games, including successive hat-tricks in two home matches. His combination of breathtaking pace, physical power, and clinical, instinctive finishing made him the most lethal forward in England for three years, scoring at a rate of more than a goal every other game (65 in 102 in the PL). After his record-breaking £50m transfer to Chelsea, Torres never quite reached these heights again, but he remained a player for the big occasion. A scorer for Spain in two successive Euros Finals, he scored crucial goals in the Europa League final of 2013 and the 2012 Champions League semi-final.
Centre forward, Diego Costa – A feisty, combative ‘old-fashioned’ centre forward, Diego Costa was certainly not everyone’s cup of tea. Standing 6’2” and built like a light-middleweight boxer, Costa loved the physical side of the game, setting out to intimidate and bully his opponents into submission. His strength enabled him to hold the ball up well, and he was smart at bringing his midfielders into play. He was also surprisingly quick off the mark, with a great eye for finding space with diagonal or direct runs. Inside the box he was lethal, with an utter determination to get his foot or head onto the ball if a chance presented itself. His fiery nature meant that his career was marked by disciplinary issues and occasional fallings-out with managers, but he was undeniably effective at his peak, winning two titles in his three years at Chelsea.
Unlucky not to make the team
Spanish talent in English football has tended to be strongest in midfield, so it’s here that you can create a very high quality bench. It’s not quite as strong elsewhere on the pitch, but this XI would certainly not disgrace themselves.
Goalkeeper – Pepe Reina
Defenders – LB Nacho Monreal, CB Pau Torres, CB Carlos Cuellar, RB Hector Bellerin
Midfield – Santi Cazorla, Juan Mata, Mikel Arteta, Luis Garcia
Attack – Ayoze Perez, Jose Antonio Reyes
And some of the worst Spaniards to play in the Premier League
- Fernando Morientes – A top-rated forward in Spain and three-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, Morientes was one of those strikers just not suited to the pace and physicality of the Premier League. With only eight goals in 41 PL appearances, his spell in England was mercifully (for all parties) shortlived
- Albert Luque – Luque’s five year contract with Newcastle United proved to be about three years too long. Injured early on in his stay, he never really came out of the traps, and returned to Spain with only one goal in his 21 appearances over two seasons.
- Marcelino – Another expensive mistake for Newcastle, central defender Marcelino spent most of his time at St James Park on the treatment table, with a string of dubious injuries.
- Iago Aspas – A legend at Celta Vigo where has over 200 goals to his name, Aspas could not break into a Liverpool side with Suarez, Sturridge and Sterling in situ. He never learnt English which proved a sensible time saving given his limited spell in the country.
- Chico Flores – Not the worst player, but the centre-back courted much controversy during his time at Swansea. He received a straight red a fortnight into his stay, was later accused of diving to get Andy Carroll sent off and was alleged to have picked up a brick in an angry exchange with teammate Garry Monk. His two-year stay was surprisingly long in the circumstances.
Great content! Keep up the good work!
Thanks for the comment – more coming soon