10 Worst Midfielders in Premier League History [Ranked]

The midfield is often regarded as the heartbeat of any football team, with many matches won or lost in this crucial area of the pitch. It's a position that demands versatility, as midfielders must balance defensive duties with creative contributions. As such, having a talented and well-rounded midfield is essential for any team to handle injuries, manage games effectively, and dominate key battles.

However, excelling in this demanding role is no easy feat. While the Premier League has been graced by iconic figures like Steven Gerrard and Roy Keane, it has also been the stage for some truly forgettable performers in the middle of the park. These players often struggled to meet expectations, failing to leave a meaningful impact on their teams.

With that in mind, Batimate has curated a list of the 10 worst midfielders to ever feature in the English top flight, reliving their most disappointing moments.

Ranking Factors:

• Failure to meet expectations or live up to their reputation
• Minimal impact in the Premier League
• Underwhelming statistics and performances

10. Kim Kallstrom

Arsenal

Kim Källström's place at number ten on this list doesn’t reflect his overall career, as the Swedish midfielder enjoyed a respectable run, particularly during his eight successful years at Lyon. However, his ill-fated move to Arsenal in January 2014 is a story of bad timing and questionable decision-making that epitomizes a transfer gone wrong.

Desperate for midfield reinforcements, the Gunners turned to Källström for a short-term solution. However, during his medical, it was discovered that he had a back injury that would sideline him for over a month. Despite this glaring issue, Arsène Wenger decided to proceed with the deal.

Källström eventually made his Arsenal debut at the end of March, but his impact was minimal. He managed just four appearances in all competitions before returning to Spartak Moscow at the end of his loan. With little to show for his brief stint in English football, Källström’s signing remains one of Arsenal’s most puzzling and pointless moves.

9. Bruno Cheyrou

Liverpool

Bruno Cheyrou joined Liverpool in 2002 for £4.5 million, arriving with the immense burden of Gerard Houllier’s proclamation that he was the "new Zidane." Unfortunately, the French midfielder's performances fell far short of such lofty comparisons.

Though he managed a few fleeting moments of quality, including a match-winning goal against Chelsea, Cheyrou struggled to adapt and failed to make a consistent impact in his debut season. Over time, he became a symbol of Liverpool’s erratic transfer dealings during that era.

While Houllier delivered a degree of success and silverware to Anfield, his reign was also characterized by some notable misfires in the transfer market, with Cheyrou often highlighted as one of the most glaring examples. Ultimately, the weight of expectations proved far too heavy for him to shoulder.

8. Antonio Nunez

Liverpool

Rafael Benitez made several standout signings during his tenure at Liverpool, but not all of his transfers hit the mark. One of his more forgettable acquisitions was Antonio Nunez, his second signing after taking the reins in 2004.

Arriving from Real Madrid, Nunez struggled to adapt and failed to make a significant impact during his single season at Anfield. Despite limited playing time and an inability to establish himself as a key figure, he did manage to earn a Champions League winners' medal as part of Liverpool's iconic 2005 squad. However, his overall contribution was minimal, making him one of Benitez’s less successful ventures into the transfer market.

7. Luke Chadwick

Manchester United

When your appearance garners more attention than your achievements, it’s often a sign that things haven’t gone as planned. Luke Chadwick emerged from the fringes of Manchester United's squad in the early 2000s. Following in the footsteps of academy stars like David Beckham and Paul Scholes, there was an expectation that Chadwick might be the next big success story from United’s renowned youth system.

However, the former England Under-21 international struggled to make a lasting impact at Old Trafford. More recognized for his youthful, acne-marked appearance than his performances on the pitch, Chadwick’s contributions were minimal. While he technically won two Premier League titles as part of an extraordinary squad, he managed just 24 league appearances and scored only two goals during his time at the club.

6. Alberto Aquilani

Liverpool

Alberto Aquilani arrived at Liverpool in 2009 with lofty expectations. Brought in to fill the void left by the departure of Xabi Alonso, the Italian midfielder had showcased significant promise during his time at Roma.

Unfortunately, injuries plagued Aquilani’s time at Anfield from the start. Persistent fitness issues prevented him from finding rhythm or establishing himself in the team. When Roy Hodgson replaced Rafael Benitez as manager in 2010, Aquilani’s situation worsened, as the new boss showed little interest in including him in his plans. Loaned out to Italian clubs, Aquilani never played for Liverpool again, marking his tenure as one of unfulfilled potential.

This wasn’t a case of a lack of quality—Aquilani had talent—but rather a combination of injuries and mismatched expectations that turned a hopeful signing into a disappointing chapter for both player and club.

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5. Istvan Kozma

Liverpool

Hungarian midfielder Istvan Kozma’s time at Liverpool was brief and unremarkable, leaving little impression on the club's history. After gaining recognition for his performances at Scottish side Dunfermline, Kozma struggled to adapt to the demands of English football, making only 10 appearances for the Reds.

His underwhelming performances have often been cited as one of the more disappointing episodes in Liverpool’s transfer history. Manager Graeme Souness, whose tenure was marked by a series of questionable signings, made several missteps in the transfer market during that era, including the likes of Dean Saunders and Julian Dicks. Yet, Kozma’s lack of impact remains a particularly glaring low point in Souness’s turbulent time at the helm.

4. Junior Lewis

Leicester City

Junior Lewis's time at Leicester City was largely unmemorable. Arriving in January 2001 after an 18-month stint in the Football League with Gillingham, his brief Premier League career failed to leave an impression. During the second half of his sole top-flight season, Lewis made 13 appearances but failed to score or register any assists.

The step up in quality seemed too great for the midfielder, who had spent much of his early career in non-league football with clubs like Dover Athletic and Hendon before progressing to the professional ranks in 1993. Following his struggles at Leicester, he was released on a free transfer to Brighton & Hove Albion, marking the end of a short and forgettable Premier League chapter.

3. Jean Makoun

Aston Villa

Jean Makoun arrived at Aston Villa from Lyon with expectations of bolstering the midfield and enhancing the team's fortunes. However, his brief Premier League tenure turned out to be a major letdown.

Across just seven appearances, Makoun failed to score or provide an assist, but he did manage to accumulate three yellow cards and a red, which ultimately defined his time at the club. Initially, manager Gerard Houllier stood by the Cameroonian midfielder during his rocky start, but Houllier's departure later that season left Makoun out of favor. After only six months at Villa, he was sent on loan to Olympiacos, effectively ending his forgettable stint in English football.

2. Kleberson

Manchester United

After receiving praise from Luiz Felipe Scolari for his crucial role in Brazil’s 2002 World Cup victory, Kleberson was in high demand, with Manchester United eventually securing his signature from Athletico Paranaense.

However, his time at Old Trafford turned out to be a major disappointment. His Premier League career got off to a rocky start, suffering an injury in just his second match. Kleberson struggled to regain his form and make any significant impact, managing only 20 league appearances for United. Far from the dynamic force he was expected to be, his underwhelming spell serves as a reminder of how high expectations can fail to materialize into success in English football. To this day, he remains one of the club's biggest missteps in the transfer market.

1. Eric Djemba-Djemba

Manchester United, Aston Villa

The phrase "So good they named him twice" certainly doesn't apply to the man who takes the top spot on this list. Brought in as a potential successor to Roy Keane, one of the Premier League’s most iconic midfielders, Eric Djemba-Djemba's stint at Manchester United was a massive letdown. The Cameroonian international made just 20 appearances over two seasons, failing to score a single goal, and his series of underwhelming performances left fans longing for Keane’s commanding presence in the midfield.

Despite Sir Alex Ferguson’s confidence, claiming Djemba-Djemba "looks like a Manchester United player in every sense," the midfielder struggled to adapt to the pace and demands of the Premier League. His technical deficiencies and lack of game awareness quickly became glaring. After just 18 months, United cut their losses, selling him to Aston Villa. Unfortunately, his fortunes didn’t improve, as he made only four league starts during an unremarkable spell in the Midlands.