The Top Flight
Fansided

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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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MARCH 11: Roberto Firmino of Liverpool celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Liverpool FC and Atletico Madrid at Anfield on March 11, 2020 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MARCH 11: Roberto Firmino of Liverpool celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Liverpool FC and Atletico Madrid at Anfield on March 11, 2020 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

4. Roberto Firmino – Liverpool – Joined from Hoffenheim in 2015

A year ago, Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino probably would’ve landed comfortably in the top 3 of this list – maybe even the top 2. While he hasn’t had a poor season by any means, his performances in front of goal, particularly at Anfield, have been less than stellar.

Luckily for him, he has world-class players in Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah on either side of him. Both players score goals for fun, meaning Firmino’s reduced efficiency in front of goal hasn’t mattered a lot, obviously, based on Liverpool’s league position.

The Brazilian was a standout performer as an attacking midfielder in the Bundesliga in his early 20’s and has been transformed into an all-action center-forward by Jurgen Klopp. His Premier League career is about to hit its peak with a title.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 16: Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park on February 16, 2020 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 16: Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park on February 16, 2020 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images) /

3. Heung-Min Son – Spurs – Joined from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015

Heung-Min Son was not a well-known name, especially outside of Germany, when he joined SPurs from Leverkusen back in 2015. In fact, he wasn’t even necessarily a standout in the Bundesliga itself back then.

However, Mauricio Pochettino’s wizard-like influence has developed Heung-Min Son beyond belief, and the South Korean is now considered one of the very best wingers in world football, and perhaps the most talented Asian footballer of all-time!

Although his career lacks in silverware, Son has had a stunning 5 years with Spurs, earning cult-hero status along the way.

https://twitter.com/ChampionsLeague/status/1251068593099476992

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 27: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal FC acknowledges the fans after the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Emirates Stadium on February 27, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 27: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal FC acknowledges the fans after the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Emirates Stadium on February 27, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

2. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Arsenal – Joined from Dortmund in 2018

Some were skeptical when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joined Arsenal for a then club-record fee from Borussia Dortmund. He was consistently one of the premier players in the German division, even winning a golden boot over Robert Lewandowski in 2016-17, but his physicality, big-game ability, and attitude were in question when he moved to Arsenal.

While it took him a while to start leading by example, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hit new levels last season, winning the golden boot, and that form has continued into this season. It’s a shame that Arsenal didn’t manage to bring him to the club earlier in his career, as he could have helped them greatly when they had a bit more quality in 2015 or so, but they’ll take him now over never.

Aubameyang has proven himself to be one of, if not the best striker in the Premier League, and he earns the #2 spot on this list.

LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 01: Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City during the Carabao Cup Final between Aston Villa and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on March 01, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 01: Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City during the Carabao Cup Final between Aston Villa and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on March 01, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus) /

1. Kevin de Bruyne – Manchester City – Joined from Wolfsburg in 2015

Who else but Kevin de Bruyne was going to top this list? I know you all knew he would be #1 right when you first saw this article! The brilliant Belgian is the best player in the Premier League, according to many including myself, and he continues to wow fans every time he takes the pitch for Manchester City.

Although his transfer from Wolfsburg in 2015 was expensive, a reported £55 million, he has repaid the fee and continued to drive Manchester City forward from his position in midfield. Surprisingly enough, he is yet to win a PFA Player of the Year award, but that could certainly end this season, as he looks like the frontrunner.

Leeds United are nearing a long-awaited Premier League return. dark. Next

De Bruyne will go down as one of the best Bundesliga to Premier League signings ever, and one of the best players the league has seen in its modern history.

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