The Premier League is one of the most global sporting competitions on the planet, and that is represented by the fact that 120 of the 211 FIFA-affiliated members have been represented on at least one occasion in the competition.
Foreign exports have made the EPL the best football league in the world, with each match feeling like a significant sporting event with millions of viewers tuning in across the planet.
Therefore, it is no surprise that there is always huge interest surrounding the Premier League winner odds. But, who are some of the best Italian players to have played in the English top-flight?
Paolo Di Canio
Paolo Di Canio is one of the most iconic figures in Premier League history, as he created some of the longest lasting images in the competition. The Italian moved to England in 1997 after signing for Sheffield Wednesday.
However, controversy always seemed to follow Di Canio, and was banned for eleven matches for pushing a referee during his time with the Owls. Despite this, West Ham signed the Italian in January 1999.
Di Canio would become a cult hero during his time at Upton Park. His Goal of the Season volley against Wimbledon in March 2000 remains one of the most iconic goals in EPL history.
His performances caught the attention of Manchester United, but he remained loyal to the Hammers. Following West Ham’s relegation in 2003, he departed the club for Charlton Athletic, before returning to Italy with Lazio in August 2004.
Gianfranco Zola
It could be the argued that the best Italian to play in the Premier League is Gianfranco Zola. Zola made a name for himself during a ten-year stay in Italy between 1984 and 1996, forming an integral part of the Napoli team alongside Diego Maradona.
However, he would embark on a new challenge in 1996 after signing for Premier League club Chelsea. Zola would become a cult hero during his time at Stamford Bridge, winning the Football Writers’ Player of the Year in his first full campaign with the Blues.
The Italian would achieve notable success during his seven-year stay in England, winning the FA Cup on two occasions and the League Cup. Such was his love-affair with the supporters, Zola was named as the club’s greatest ever player in a public vote in 2003.
He would later return to the club as an assistant manager before the start of the 2018-19 season after joining forces with Maurizio Sarri. But, he would leave Stamford Bridge when Frank Lampard was appointed in July 2019.
Jorginho
One of the best modern day Italian players to have played in the Premier League is Jorginho. The defensive midfielder represented Italy at international level despite being born in Brazil. After impressing during a four-year stay with Napoli, the midfielder signed for Chelsea in a deal worth a reported £57 million in July 2018.
Jorginho would form an integral part of the Blues team, completing a record 158 passes in a single match against Newcastle United in 2018. His first season in England ended in success after playing a role in Chelsea’s Europa League final win against Arsenal.
Jorginho would later win the Champions League with the club in 2020-21, and was voted third in the Ballon d’Or before departing for Arsenal in January 2023.
The Italian was a rotation player during his time at the Emirates, and he departed the club in May 2025, as he signed for Brazilian side Flamengo ahead of the start of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Carlo Cudicini
Carlo Cudicini ranks as one of the best goalkeepers to have played in the Premier League, and he was a focal point of the success that was enjoyed by Chelsea throughout the 2000s. The Italian came through the ranks at AC Milan, before joining Castel di Sangro to get game time.
However, a move to the Premier League followed in 1999 on an initial loan deal. Chelsea would later make the deal a permanent one, and he soon became the number one goalkeeper in place of Ed de Goey. His importance to the team was evident after being awarded the Player of the Year award in the 2000-01 season.
In the 2002-03 season, he was also named the best goalkeeper in the Premier League. However, his playing time at Chelsea would diminish at the start of the 2004-05 season, as Jose Mourinho signed Petr Cech. Cudicini would play sparingly during the next couple of seasons, but he did pick up winners medals in the FA Cup in 2000 and 2007.
After a nine-year stay at Stamford Bridge, the Italian moved to Tottenham in 2009. However, he would play back-up during a three-year stay in North London. The goalkeeper would later retire from the sport after a one-season stay with the LA Galaxy.
