8 Most Overrated Premier League Players of All Time
Who are the most overrated Premier League players of all time? We take a look at the players that were overhyped and never delivered on the pitch.
Players can achieve overrated status if they under perform under a weight of expectation, are overpaid in comparison to their on-field performances or have been overhyped as a youngster.
Let's take a look at the 8 most overrated Premier League players of all time.
10. Hidetoshi Nakata
One of the greatest Japanese players of all-time, Hidetoshi Nakata played at three World Cups, and exploded onto the world stage at his home World Cup in.
Nakata had a solid career in Italy playing for Perugia, Roma, Parma, Bologna and Fiorentina. In his only Premier League season Nakata played 21 league games for Bolton Wanderers scoring just the single goal.
Known for his technical ability, vision and creativity, it was far from what he delivered during his time at Bolton. He retired at the end of only season in England and is one of the most overrated Premier League players of all time.
The "Japanese David Beckham" has arguably had a better career off the field than on it, and he's considered a fashion trailblazer and icon well after his playing days have finished.
2229. Hidetoshi NAKATA
Midfielder - 22.01.77 - JAP (77/11) Prem Debut: 18/09/2005 (Manchester City vs. BOLTON WANDERERS, W 1-0 - sub 81 mins) Prem Clubs: Bolton Wanderers (05-06) Prem Apps: 21 Prem Goals: 1 pic.twitter.com/0efP07RVr5 — Premier League Players (@premlgeplayers) November 13, 2020
9. Juan Sebastian Veron
Signed by Manchester United from Lazio in 2001, Juan Sebastian Veron's £28.1m transfer fee was a Premier League record. He would flop spectacularly and was sold to Chelsea for £15m after only two seasons.
Veron made only seven appearances at Chelsea before going out on loan to Inter Milan, followed by a move to Estudiantes in Argentina before calling curtains on his career.
There's no doubt Veron in his prime was strong, pacey, and a technically gifted midfielder. It was always going to be difficult to find his rhythm competing for a spot with David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Roy Keane and Paul Scholes.
He ultimately struggled to keep up with the pace of the Premier League, where he wasn't afforded the same time and space on the ball he was used to during his career.
4. Juan Veron
After his failed stint at Manchester United, Veron joined Chelsea with the view of redemption but he ended up becoming worse. He made just 15 apps for Chelsea across many seasons which all except one were all on loan away from Chelsea. pic.twitter.com/WbbBw6rm1G — Ceejay (@Derah91) July 14, 2022
8. Harry Maguire
Harry Maguire was so overhyped from his time at Leicester City that he earned an £80 million move to Manchester United in 2021 and is the most expensive Premier League defender of all time.
For a defender, Maguire is good at moving the ball and has good dribbling ability. He lacks the composure and consistency that’s so important for a defender, making crucial mistakes at the back with his error proneness, drifts forward and times into midfield exposing the back, and is slow and heavy.
Maguire still possesses good leadership qualities and is good in the air. For the price tag he arrived for however, so much more is expected of him and he’s one of the most overrated Premier League players in history.
Ricky was right Smalling was better then Harry maguire #glazersout pic.twitter.com/8jXoGrYp2p
— Glazers out (@Glazerspissoff) January 25, 2023
7. Joe Cole
Known for his flair, dribbling and his bag of tricks, Joe Cole was insanely good from an early age and seemingly destined for greatness. At the age of 15 he was already earning recognition from the national press and attracting interest from Manchester United and Arsenal.
By age 17 he received an invite to train with the national team. He did manage to win three Premier League titles and FA Cups, as well as play in three World Cups, and he was also being called out as “The New Gazza”. The issue was he couldn’t live up to that hype and ended up being one of the most overrated Premier League players.
Cole’s career was impacted by injuries, and he lost his creative spark in the Chelsea system, with Jose Mourinho playing him out much wider than his natural and preferred attacking midfield position.
Throwback to when Jose Mourinho made two substitutions after 25 minutes against Fulham in March 2006.
Joe Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips were replaced by Didier Drogba and Damien Duff. No injuries, purely tactical 🤯 pic.twitter.com/DHgXn6Vzrt — Retro (@CFCRetro) February 1, 2023
6. Jay-Jay Okocha
Considered the greatest Nigerian footballer, and one of the best African players of all-time, the "Nigerian Ronaldinho" Jay-Jay Okocha was quick, technically creative, confident and had exceptional dribbling skills.
After the 2002 World Cup, Bolton Wanderers had surprisingly snapped up a 28-year old Okocha. Despite his flair and flashes of brilliance he was far too inconsistent and one of the most overrated Premier League players ever.
Okocha managed to score 14 goals and 11 assists from his 124 league appearances but more was expected from a footballer who at the time became the most expensive African player in 1998 when PSG signed him from Fenerbahce for £14 million.
Okocha is probably the most overrated Nigerian player ever. You know Nani, You know Quaresma, You Know Iwobi? What do they have in common? Dribble with no sense of end result. That’s why Okocha never won Africa best. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
— Dr Martins 💭 (@coolented) December 10, 2019
5. El-Hadji Diouf
El-Hadji Diouf is not only one of the most hated footballers in history. He's also one of the most overrated Premier League players ever, especially because he rates himself as the greatest African player ever.
There were massive expectations placed on Diouf when he arrived at Liverpool after the 2002 World Cup, where he helped Senegal reach the quarter final stages.
Despite Diouf playing 243 games in the Premier League across four clubs, his performances weren't to the levels that were expected. That may have been overlooked if it wasn't for his attitude.
Ex teammates called him out for being lazy, arrogant and just plain toxic. Although he had some talent, he was a dressing room distraction and the sort of player that was hated by both home and away fans.
Everybody closes their eyes (for some reason) as El-Hadji Diouf scores against his old club @LFC for @OFFICIALBWFC, in January 2006.
Loved at the Reebok and disliked pretty much everywhere else, Diouf was certainly a divisive character 🇸🇳#LFC #BWFC pic.twitter.com/T0ikeSVPX2 — The Premiership Years (@PremiershipYrs) July 10, 2022
4. Owen Hargreaves
Owen Hargreaves grew up in Canada before playing for German giants Bayern Munich for seven years. He became the only player to play for England without having lived in Britain, and only the second player to represent the Three Lions without playing in the English football system.
Manchester United signed Hargreaves for £17 million in 2007 to fill the void left by Roy Keane. Hargreaves' speed and excellent set piece delivery was very rarely seen during his five years at United.
Hargreaves would make only 28 Premier League appearances in a career completely derailed by injuries. Sir Alex Ferguson even admitted in his autobiography that Hargreaves was one of the most disappointing of the 105 signings he made in his career.
"I was a bit like Prince... I should have been known as the artist formerly known as Owen Hargreaves."
"At home, I couldn't go up the stairs because I couldn't get back down." A look back at the injury troubles that ended Owen Hargreaves' career. #PLTonight pic.twitter.com/qWmVjVDCKg — Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 24, 2018
3. John Obi Mikel
It was never going to be easy for John Obi Mikel to emulate his teammates Michael Essien and Claude Makelele during his 11 years at Chelsea. He was quick and able to use both feet, but at times was unreliable.
Mikel lost a lot of the creative spark he had from his younger days where he drew comparisons to players like Zinedine Zidane, Paul Scholes and Steven Gerrard.
Mourinho may have done him wrong by playing him too far back in midfield. Although he was a solid squad player, he's one of the most overrated Premier League players, netting just one goal and ten assists in 249 Premier League games.
John Obi Mikel.
11 trophies in 9 seasons at Chelsea. Underrated, overrated. Ask him if he cares. #Champion #CFC pic.twitter.com/NnSEFcxs4G — Chelsea In America (@CFCInAmerica) May 24, 2015
2. Paul Pogba
The twice-former Manchester United midfielder wasn't a bad player by any means. It's the fact that Pogba is one of the most expensive Premier League players of all time that makes him so overrated.
So much was expected for the former United youth academy product after he signed for Juventus in 2012 for £800,000 in compensation. After four titles in four seasons he returned back to Old Trafford for £93.25 million.
Yes, he only lost 28 games in 157 Premier League appearances, scoring 29 goals and nabbing 38 assists. Pogba was far too inconsistent though, winning only the EFL Cup and Europa League, and then leaving on a free back to Juventus.
"I don't think United was a mistake." 🔴
Paul Pogba has spoken to the media for the first time since re-joining Juventus ✍️pic.twitter.com/LniAmhCtg0 — Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) July 12, 2022
1. Jack Wilshere
The technically gifted and agile Jack Wilshere came through the Arsenal youth academy and became the youngest ever Arsenal player to debut in the Premier League at 16 years and 256 days.
Wilshere's been able to play multiple positions in midfield and is known for his vision, leadership and his movement. Unfortunately injuries has impacted his career, and he slowed down very early compared to his younger days, retiring at 30.
There was a time when Wilshere was considered one of the hottest prospects in the Premier League. Instead, he's one of the most overrated Premier League players of all time which is something even Roy Keane called out.
The most overrated player ever in football history? Be honest. I will start
Jack Wilshere — Ricky (@ricky10yid) July 8, 2022
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Wolfgang Sport started in 2017 as a way to connect my passion for American and British sports. Today it's evolved into a blockchain sports blog pushing the boundaries into the crypto world and embracing Web3 technologies.
Of course Harry Maguire needs to make this list :D
Without a doubt! That bloke ... always finding new ways to "impress"
Just sticking the boot in for the Arsenal supporters
Haha, it must be subconscious because I have a habit of doing that!
I don't think overrated is the correct term here. Maybe players who didn't meet expectations.
Wilshere, Maguire, Okocha, and Veron at least were that good before their moves in the case of the latter three or injury blows in the case of Wilshere.
I beg to differ. If you look at the definition of "overrated", it's someone who is rated or valued too highly. That's exactly what happened in the scenario of all these players. They were overvalued - whether on the back of a strong World Cup or as a result of the situation of the market rates for players - and ultimately failed to deliver
I'm not sure if they are were overrated... I mean, they were a very good kind of player but not as good as top one. Pogba is the only one. He's just perfect.
Don't get me wrong they were all good players. There was alot more expected of them either based on a transfer fee or World Cup performance and they just didn't deliver as thought
Not quite sure of that... I mean, they played well. Not as cracks or jewels but they did just fine. Most of them.