The Top Flight
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The 10 best former Bundesliga players in the Premier League

By Mahith Gamage

Manchester City's German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan (R) celebrates scoring their third goal for 3-1 with Manchester City's German midfielder Leroy Sane (L) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on December 1, 2018. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester City's German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan (R) celebrates scoring their third goal for 3-1 with Manchester City's German midfielder Leroy Sane (L) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on December 1, 2018. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /
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As the Bundesliga restarts this weekend, let’s count down the top 10 current Premier League players who have signed from Germany.

The Bundesliga is back this weekend, with a few mouthwatering fixtures on the cards to finally satisfy the appetites of fans. Bayern Munich will play tomorrow, while Dortmund crushed Schalke 4-0 in the famous Revierderby early on Saturday.

Football fans have waited over 2 months for the sport to return, and while things still aren’t quite the same with no fans and social distancing measures still in place somewhat, it is still far better than having nothing to watch and talk about. The last couple of months have been difficult for everybody.

In celebration of the Bundesliga’s restart, let’s take a look at the best Premier League players to join directly from Germany’s top division. This list will only count players who came directly, so someone like Mesut Ozil, who made a move to Real Madrid in between, would not qualify.

Some of the best players in the Premier League have come directly from the Bundesliga, although there is a noticeable gap in quality between the top 5 in this list, and the bottom 5. I’ll let you see that for yourself. Let’s start with West Ham’s striker:

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 29: Sebastien Haller of West Ham United celebrates after scoring his sides second gaol during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Southampton FC at London Stadium on February 29, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 29: Sebastien Haller of West Ham United celebrates after scoring his sides second gaol during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Southampton FC at London Stadium on February 29, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images) /

10. Sebastien Haller – West Ham – Joined from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2019

Sebastien Haller was considered one of the coups of the summer last season when he joined West Ham following a stunning season with Eintracht Frankfurt, where he scored 20 goals in all competitions.

The massive Frenchman, who possesses a wide array of skills, has not had the greatest debut Premier League season, but his 7 goals have still been important for the Hammers. He has to turn it up a notch next season if he is to be worth the club-record price tag of £36 million, however.

https://twitter.com/goal/status/1212675147544449024

LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 07: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal gestures during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on March 07, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 07: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal gestures during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on March 07, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images) /

9. Granit Xhaka – Arsenal – Joined from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016

Granit Xhaka has had an up and down career at the Emirates Stadium with Arsenal, but his stunning form under Mikel Arteta earns him a place on this list. Xhaka is a natural leader, and continues to lead by example for the Gunners, influencing them greatly both on and off the ball.

If he can keep up this sort of form, which seems entirely possible under a manager like Mikel Arteta, then Xhaka’s stock will certainly rise among Premier League fans. He certainly isn’t anywhere near as bad a player as some make him out to be.

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