10 Laziest Players in Premier League History [Ranked]

Hard work often trumps talent—a principle that defines many footballers' journeys to the top. But to suggest that every Premier League player gives 100% effort would be a stretch. Some of English football’s most gifted stars have been notorious for their lack of work rate.

Whether it’s refusing to track back, coasting through training, or openly admitting their dislike for running, certain players have embraced a more laid-back approach to the game. Surprisingly, even eye-watering wages weren’t enough to motivate them to push harder.

However, playing with minimal effort hasn’t always been a drawback. Some players thrived despite their perceived laziness, using their unique and often controversial styles to their advantage. From Arsenal’s Mesut Özil to Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, we’ve ranked the ten laziest players to grace the Premier League.

Ranking Factors:

• Effort – How much they actually applied themselves on the pitch.
• Training – Whether they showed commitment during warm-ups and practice.
• Feedback – What their managers and teammates have said about their work ethic.

10. Emmanuel Adebayor

Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham and Crystal Palace

At a glance, Emmanuel Adebayor’s career appears impressive, with a solid goalscoring record at some of the biggest clubs in British football. There’s no denying he was a quality striker when he was in the mood, but fans quickly noticed his lack of effort during games.

Standing at 6ft 3in, Adebayor often seemed to believe his role was simply to be a physical presence upfront, winning aerial duels without much else to his game. However, his laid-back attitude didn’t sit well with managers. Both Roberto Mancini and Harry Redknapp grew frustrated with his half-hearted approach, relegating him to the bench on multiple occasions.

Love Hangeland's quotes about Adebayor... pic.twitter.com/1YZRDPAHGZ

— Chris Tilly (@TillyTweets) January 27, 2017

9. Adel Taarabt

Queens Park Rangers, Tottenham and Fulham

Adel Taarabt was a player who could dazzle fans with his slick footwork and endless tricks. A highlight reel of his best moments is a joy to watch, but beneath the flashy skills, he was far from a complete footballer and is often remembered for his unfulfilled potential.

He first arrived in the Premier League with Tottenham after a promising move from RC Lens but struggled to make an impact. It wasn’t until his switch to Queens Park Rangers that he truly found his stride, producing moments of magic at Loftus Road. However, his reluctance to track back or press frustrated managers and fans alike.

Harry Redknapp, who had little patience for players lacking work ethic, famously called out Taarabt’s fitness during their time together at QPR.

“He played in a reserve game the other day, and I could have run about more than he did,” Redknapp said. “I can't protect people who don’t want to run and train and are about three stone overweight.”

8. Carlos Tevez

Manchester City, Manchester United and West Ham

In the grand scheme of things, Carlos Tevez wasn’t the laziest footballer around. However, when things didn’t go his way, his stubborn streak became glaringly obvious. His undeniable talent earned him moves to Manchester City, Manchester United, and Juventus—clubs that wouldn’t tolerate a lack of effort.

It wasn’t his performances on matchdays that raised eyebrows, but rather his attitude towards training. On the pitch, Tevez was a relentless, hard-working forward, but once the training cones were laid out, his enthusiasm disappeared. Former Manchester United teammate Rio Ferdinand shed light on the Argentine’s laid-back approach to preparation.

“Carlos is an interesting character,” Ferdinand said. “When he was at United, he saved all his energy for the games—he didn’t really go over the top at training.”

7. Marko Arnautovic

Stoke City and West Ham

Once labeled "the worst player in Europe," Marko Arnautović eventually carved out a reputation for himself during his time at Stoke City. He became a dependable forward for the Potters, who were regularly battling to stay afloat in the Premier League.

However, as was often the case throughout his career, his undeniable talent was frequently overshadowed by his lack of effort. Both Mark Hughes and David Moyes were frustrated by the Austrian’s attitude on the pitch, questioning his work ethic. His later move to Chinese club Shanghai Port FC only reinforced the perception that his passion for the English game was limited.

"Why don't you just run about Marko?"

How David Moyes' simple advice reinspired Marko Arnautovic at West Ham.

- https://t.co/0kUniWPgQm pic.twitter.com/k5Y08SZkA7

— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) January 23, 2019

6. David Ginola

Newcastle United, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Everton

David Ginola was never one to embrace hard running. Tracking back and putting in defensive work seemed almost foreign to the Frenchman, despite his success at Newcastle United and Tottenham. Even when he won the PFA Player of the Year award in North London, some teammates remained critical of his lack of effort off the ball.

His undeniable flair often masked his perceived laziness, but that changed following his move to Aston Villa. Manager John Gregory publicly criticized Ginola’s fitness, famously dubbing him "Mr. Blobby," which sparked debate over the winger’s conditioning and commitment to playing at the highest level.

5. Nwankwo Kanu

Arsenal, Portsmouth and West Brom

Being part of Arsenal’s legendary ‘Invincibles’ squad makes it seem unfair to question Nwankwo Kanu’s commitment on the pitch. However, Arsène Wenger primarily saw him as a squad player, and fans eventually recognized that his laid-back style didn’t always benefit the team.

Kanu was more of a stroller than a sprinter, often opting for a measured, effortless approach rather than intense pressing. This style didn’t translate well after leaving Arsenal, with underwhelming spells at West Brom and Portsmouth. At 6ft 6in, his physical presence and hold-up play masked his leisurely demeanor, making it difficult for supporters to outright criticize his lack of urgency.

4. Mesut Ozil

Arsenal

When Arsenal secured a club-record signing of Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Özil, Gunners fans celebrated wildly outside the Emirates, as seen on Sky Sports. The German playmaker delivered moments of brilliance, finishing third in the all-time list for most assists in a single Premier League season with 19—trailing only Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry.

However, Özil’s body language often painted a different picture. He had a tendency to slump around the pitch rather than show urgency, which frustrated fans when Arsenal’s performances declined. As criticism mounted, doubts grew over his commitment. Gary Neville famously called him out during the 2018 Carabao Cup final against Manchester City, slamming his lack of effort in a high-stakes game.

He said: "Ozil is walking. Don’t walk. Don’t walk at Wembley. Run."

3. Eden Hazard

Chelsea

Eden Hazard is undoubtedly one of the greatest wingers in Premier League history. His ability to glide past defenders with effortless dribbling and close control made him a nightmare for opposition teams and a joy for Chelsea supporters.

However, alongside his immense talent came a notorious lack of enthusiasm for training. Despite his match-winning performances, Hazard’s work ethic off the pitch left much to be desired. His former Chelsea teammate, John Obi Mikel, offered a candid take on the Belgian’s approach, admitting he had never seen anything like it:

"The only player I saw that did that and got away with it was Eden Hazard. The laziest footballer I have ever seen in my life. But then, come the weekend, he would produce it and be Man of the Match."

2. Mario Balotelli

Manchester City and Liverpool

"Why always me?" Mario Balotelli's arrogance was something you couldn’t help but admire. His supreme confidence was matched by a carefree attitude toward football—an odd contrast for someone earning £120,000 a week.

Balotelli played by his own rules. He showboated when he wanted, shot when he wanted, and passed when he felt like it. His laid-back approach was best exemplified in a pre-season match against LA Galaxy under Roberto Mancini at Manchester City. Clean through on goal, Balotelli attempted an audacious backheel finish, only to send the ball trickling wide. Mancini was livid, hauling him off after just 30 minutes.

1. Dimitar Berbatov

Manchester United, Tottenham and Fulham

Dimitar Berbatov was the definition of effortless, exuding a swagger rarely seen in the modern game. It was no secret that the Bulgarian wasn’t a fan of hard work—his style as a striker involved little running or pressing. Yet, despite his laid-back approach, he still delivered, netting 94 goals in 299 Premier League appearances.

When he was scoring stunning goals and linking up beautifully with teammates, fans found it hard to criticize his apparent laziness. Instead, they embraced it as part of his charm. Berbatov himself rejected claims that he didn’t work hard, insisting that his approach was simply intelligent.

"If you were to put it into order of the players who would run in my Tottenham team, I would say Jermaine [Defoe], [Robbie] Keane, and then probably everybody else—with me behind. But I was running in my head," he explained.