England fans have always had a love/hate relationship with German footballers; on one hand they knock us out of international tournaments on penalties, but then also grace the Premier League with their talent.
Not many German footballers make the trip across the Channel to England but when they do they’re normally hardened, talented and raise the level of talent in the league, significantly. Here are, ranked, the nine best German footballers to play in the Premier League.
9. Lukas Podolski
The answer Arsenal never knew they had to their Robin van Persie-shaped hole. Could have been so much more if given the chance but still a quality player with an unbelievable left foot.
Source: Twitter
8. Christian Ziege
Moved to Liverpool and won the treble in his first season. Easy.
Source: Twitter
7. Jerome Boateng
Joleon Lescott was preferred to him when at Manchester City. Laughable.
Source: Twitter
6. Jurgen Klinsmann
The best way to describe Klinsmann when he came to Spurs is hated. His dirty diving had knocked England out the World Cup four years earlier and his transfer wasn't a popular one. At the end of the season he had won over Tottenham fans banging in 21 goals and winning the FWA Footballer of the year.
Source: Twitter
5. Jens Lehmann
Being one of the rare breed of Arsenal players who won trophies this millennium probably says more about him than anything else.
Source: Twitter
4. Dietmar Hamann
The man who turned around Istanbul 2005. Many will claim it was Gerrard, but it was Hamann who came on at half time with his team 3-0 down. Did the same in the 2006 FA cup final coming on with his team 3-2 down and walking away with a winners' medal. You can't argue with facts.
Source: Twitter
3. Mesut Ozil
Too good for Arsenal and too clever for his teammates. Any misplaced pass he makes is probably the intended receiver's fault - not on the same wavelength.
Source: Twitter
2. Robert Huth
It does sound like a joke, but the Leicester City defender has three Premier League titles!
Source: Twitter
1. Michael Ballack
Who else but the German enforcer, one of the greatest players of this generation. A truly ambidextrous player you wouldn't want to be on the end of a shot from either foot.
Source: Twitter
SEE MORE: The Premier League’s top six best 5-a-side teams
You would think that more Germans would chose the Premier League over the Bundesliga; a media which will jump on any mistakes you make, grounds with smaller crowds and worse atmospheres, and you get to play over Christmas. What’s not to love?
Oh, whilst you’re here, fancy checking out the best Englishman to ever play in the Premier League? Of course you do!
Ashley Cole
Ashley Cole: he doesn't like team photographs, or monogamy. But a century of international caps is pretty impressive - even for England.
Source: Twitter
David Beckham
Beckham never quite had the talent to match his global profile, but he was unrivaled from dead ball situations, and played a huge part in United's treble winning side.
Source: Twitter
John Terry
No one likes John Terry - not even his own mum - but you can't deny that Chelsea's captain has played a huge part in their success in the Abramovich era.
Source: Twitter
Harry Kane
At 23, Kane is only a short way through his promising career, but he's the most likely of anyone to beat Shearer's 260-goal haul.
Source: Twitter
Matt Le Tissier
Before he gave up his Saturdays to watch Paul Merson make a fool of himself on live TV, Matt Le Tissier was one of English football's most gifted mavericks.
Source: Twitter
Rio Ferdinand
Rio's peak years were interrupted by a harsh ban and some niggling injuries, but at his best there were few strikers who could get the better of him.
Source: Twitter
Frank Lampard
Lampard is the best goalscoring midfielder to have graced the Premier League, and he always seemed like a decent bloke, too. Standing next to JT can have that effect.
Source: Twitter
Steven Gerrard
Gerrard never lifted the Premier League trophy, but he was responsible for some its most memorable moments. That time he slipped against Chelsea, for example.
Source: Twitter
Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer could tell you a thing or two about scoring goals in the Premier League. It'd be incredibly boring to listen to, but he'd tell you all the same.
Source: Twitter
Wayne Rooney
If you only started watching football two years ago, you would be justified in thinking Rooney was average - but trust us: he used to be something special.
Source: Twitter
Paul Scholes
We don't want to re-open up the "Scholes vs Lampard vs Gerrard" can of worms, but it's Scholes. It's always been Scholes.
Source: Twitter
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