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In the recent history of the Premier League, Spanish players have played a key role in bringing success. The elegance and skills of a Spanish player are difficult to match up with. And it is certainly a blessing to have some of the finest players from Spain grace the Premier League.
Over time, the influence of Spanish players in the Premier League is only expected to increase. Players originating from Spain are a lot more tempted nowadays with the prospect of playing in the Premier League.
Given the talent Spain has, it wouldn’t come as a surprise to see some of their best players play in England in the near future.
Certain Spanish midfielders have upped the level of the game in the Premier League
Well if there’s something that can be guaranteed from a Spain-born midfielder, it is their skill on the ball. Their ball control and passing range has always been a delight to watch, not to forget their nimble footwork and close control of the ball in tight spaces.
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Their technical understanding of the game makes them a dominating figure irrespective of the team setup or the opposition. It is not just the technical abilities but also how the Spanish midfielders bring other players into the game that makes them more special.
That’s why some of the Spanish midfielders have done incredibly well in the Premier League. On that note, let's have a look at some of the finest Spanish midfielders to play in the Premier League.
Honorable mention: Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)
#5 Mikel Arteta (Everton & Arsenal)
The current Arsenal manager was once a very well-known midfielder in the Premier League. Mikel Arteta played for quite a few clubs in Europe before moving to the Premier League. The clubs were namely Paris Saint Germain (PSG), Rangers, and Real Sociedad.
In the January 2005 transfer window, the Spaniard signed for Premier League club Everton on loan. He was signed to replace the departing Thomas Gravesen. At the start of the following season, the move was made permanent. Arteta's impact was instant as the Spaniard was awarded Everton's Player of the Season in his first two seasons with the Merseyside club.
Arteta had the vision and skills to play a deep playmaking midfielder role and he was quite good at it. After spending six years at Everton, making 174 Premier League appearances, scoring 28 goals and making 34 assists, Arteta left for Arsenal in 2011. He was a key player under Arsene Wenger's management.
Arteta was more of a leader at Arsenal and with age, he turned into one of the finest midfielders in the Premier League. He captained the Gunners from the 2014-15 season but injuries played a big part in the Spaniard retiring in the 2015-16 season. He has made 110 Premier League appearances for the Gunners, scoring 14 goals and assisting in 9 other goals. It is also to be noted that the Spanish midfielder took some stunning set-pieces during his time in the Premier League.
#4 Xabi Alonso (Liverpool)
Words cannot describe the class possessed by Xabi Alonso. He kept it simple yet was very effective on the pitch. Alonso grew up as a player at Real Sociedad in Spain. He was brought to the Premier League by Liverpool in the 2004-05 season.
It marked the beginning of a different era at Liverpool under Rafa Benitez. The club saw a lot of success in the next three to four years. Alonso cherised the deep playmaker midfielder role and that is what he was brought in for.
The former Socieded midfielder had a wide range of passes, excellent vision and amazing technique at his disposal. He was also known for scoring some outrageous long-range goals. With such a combination, Alonso was a blessing to watch in the Premier League.
Although Alonso was unlucky not to win any Premier League title with the Reds, he was able to win the UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup with them. He spent six seasons on Merseyside, making 143 Premier League appearances, scoring 14 goals and registering as many assists.
#3 Juan Mata (Chelsea & Manchester United)
The Premier League in its history has witnessed some elegant midfielders and Juan Mata is one of them. The former Chelsea maestro is the only Spanish midfielder on the list still playing in the Premier League.
Mata is a remarkable human being and an even more amazing player. He rose to fame during his stint at Valencia in La Liga. Premier League club Chelsea signed the Spanish midfielder during the 2011-12 season.
With his sweet left foot, Mata is capable of a lot of things. The Spanish attacking midfielder has great vision, amazing creative abilities, superb control of the ball, and some blissful passing range. With all these attributes, Mata had an instant impact at Chelsea.
He played only two and a half seasons with the Blues but was a key player for them during that duration, winning Chelsea's Player of the Year in each of the two seasons. He has made 82 Premier League appearances for the London club, scoring 17 goals and assisting in 32 times. He also made it to the 2012-13 PFA Team of the Year.
Mata's creative abilities attracted interest from Manchester United as the Spaniard signed for them in the 2013-14 season. He has been with the Red Devils ever since for almost nine years now. Having made 189 Premier League appearances for United, Mata has scored 34 goals and made 32 assists. His time at United now seems limited but Mata's contributions in the Premier League will remain immense.
#2 Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal & Chelsea)
Cesc Fabregas was at Barcelona's youth academy but joined Arsenal once he realized he wouldn't get enough chances with the Catalan club. It took some time for Fabregas to get to play regularly with Arsenal's first team.
But once Fabregas settled, there was no looking back. He brought the Barcelona way of creativity to the Premier League. With his intricate passing, superb vision and amazing technique to create chances, Fabregas ran riot in the opposition defense.
He led the Arsenal attack unexpectedly well and was a big sensation with the Gunners. He has made 212 Premier League appearances with the north London club, scoring 35 goals and making 72 assists. He then returned to Barcelona after spending eight years with Arsenal.
The flaws in his game were exposed at Barcelona but the Spaniard did win trophies with the Spanish giants. Struggling with game-time, Fabregas left Barcelona after three years and joined Chelsea in the Premier League.
This time though, the Spanish midfielder was more experienced and mature with his approach. He spent five years with the Blues, winning the Premier League twice in this duration.
His game style this time was more direct and more efficient. He has made 138 Premier League appearances for Chelsea, scoring 15 goals and registering 42 assists. Undoubtedly, Fabregas will go down as one of the greatest ever midfielders in the Premier League.
#1 David Silva (Manchester City)
David Silva is probably quite underrated when it comes to midfielders in Spanish football history. Silva started his career with Valencia in La Liga. After the Abu Dhabi group took over Manchester City in 2008, Silva was signed by the club in 2010 as a long-term prospect.
It was the start of something special. Silva, along with Yaya Toure, was an absolute delight to watch in midfield. The Spaniard, with his silky ball-control and nimble foot-work, glided past defenders with utter ease.
Not to forget, the midfielder had an exquisite passing range and amazing vision to find passes not that easily imaginable to everyone.
Silva won the Premier League four times with Manchester City. He ended up in the PFA Team of the Year on three separate occasions. Silva had such an important role in making Manchester City what it is today. He is no less than a legend at the club. In his 10 seasons with the club, Silva has made 309 Premier League club appearances, scoring 60 goals and assisting in 107 other goals.
No other Spanish midfielder has had such an impact at a Premier League club. It is very difficult for any Spanish midfielder to achieve what Silva has achieved with Manchester City. It is likely that Silva will remain the best Spanish midfielder in the Premier League for a long time given the magnitude of his success at the Etihad.
