5 footballers you wouldn’t believe won the Premier League

#3 Jordi Cruyff

Mario Melchiot and Jordi Cruyff dwelling for the ball

Very few fans can recall today that a Cruyff once played and won the Premier League. It would always have been tough for Jordi Cruyff to be the better footballer when your father is the legendary Johan Cruyff.

Jordi Cruyff was mainly an attacking midfielder who could also maneuver as a second striker. It was at Manchester United where his career progression stagnated due to an injury-ridden four-year spell. However, Jordi could still show his moments of brilliance and managed to grab a Premier League winners' medal.

Jordi Cruyff joined Premier League club Manchester United in the summer of 1996 and was a regular until picking up a significant knee injury in November of that year. The start of a long series of injuries ultimately resulted in the non-fulfillment of the early potential as a footballer.

However, as painful as the 1996-97 Premier League season was for Jordi, Manchester United won the league title that season. Notably, it was the only league winners' medal of his footballing career.

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#2 Luis Boa Morte

Few remember that Boa Morte was a gunner once

Portuguese footballer Luis Boa Morte spent close to 15 years in the Premier League, playing for many English clubs. Although his most consistent spell came at Fulham, his most considerable success came at Arsenal, winning the Premier League.

Arsenal were Boa Morte's first English club when newly appointed Arsene Wenger signed him. Boa Morte was a great prospect in Portugal back then, and he played well in several positions, including playing on the attack or in the central midfield. In his very first season, Boa Morte was part of the double-winning season for Arsenal.

Despite winning the Premier League in his maiden English season, Boa Morte couldn't move on to the next step with Arsenal. However, he still managed to carve out a decent career in the Premier League.

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#1 Matthew Upson

West Ham United v Everton - Premier League

Before the arrival of Luis Boa Morte, a young Englishman had arrived at Arsenal from Luton hoping to make it big in the Premier League. Matthew Upson joined Arsenal in May 1997, but like Boa Morte, he did not fulfill his potential at the club.

When Upson arrived at Arsenal, he found it very hard to break into the first team with Martin Keown and Tony Adams among the ranks. Additionally, he had a terrible misfortune with injury and despite Arsenal winning the Premier League that season, Upson didn't qualify for the title.

But every story needs a happy ending, and Upson made 22 appearances for Arsenal in his final season. 14 of those 22 appearances came in the league as Arsenal were crowned champions in the 2001-02 Premier League season. Upson then went on to play for several English clubs but could never sadly add to his winners' medal tally.