Harry Diamond
Some fine footballers have enjoyed success in the Premier League era, but it is sustained success that really separates the good from the great when considering the all-time icons of English football.
We’ve decided to look at the most successful individual players in terms of victories, though only players to have played over 200 fixtures in the Premier League have been included.
Here are the five players with the best in percentage in Premier League history:
Patrice Evra – 67.3%
Patrice Evra became one of the Premier League’s greatest ever full-backs during a glittering career at Manchester United, overcoming a difficult start to cement himself as a firm favourite amongst the Old Trafford faithful.
The France international arrived from Monaco and was substituted at half-time following a torrid time in the Manchester derby on debut, though recovered to establish himself as a key player in arguably the last great team of the Sir Alex Ferguson era.
Evra’s first full season saw United crowned as Premier League champions, one of three championships in succession and five that the left-back would claim, alongside lifting the 2008 Champions League during a trophy-laden period with the Red Devils.
Named in the PFA Team of the Year on three occasions, the Frenchman was an all-action outlet down the left-hand side and is regarded by some as arguably the best left-back the division has seen.
His extroverted passion for the club made him a hugely popular figure and he left Manchester United for Juventus having made 379 appearances in all competitions, and with a win percentage of 67.3% in the Premier League.
Didier Drogba – 67.7%
Amongst the most prominent protagonists of Chelsea’s rise to the elite of English and European football, Didier Drogba established himself as arguably the Blues’ greatest ever footballer during an incredible career at Stamford Bridge.
Drogba was signed by Jose Mourinho during his first summer in charge of the west London outfit and starred as the focal point of the Chelsea attack, helping the side to a first league title in 50 years during his debut campaign before retaining the Premier League the following season.
The Ivorian twice won the Premier League’s Golden Boot and added a further two league titles alongside a wealth of cup successes, forging a reputation as one of the game’s great big-game specialists with a number of final goals.
Drogba scored 104 goals in 254 league appearances for Chelsea and is the highest-scoring African player in Premier League history, whilst his 67.7% win percentage is the fourth-highest of any player to have played more than 200 games.
Fernandinho – 69%
Manchester City have emerged as the most successful club in English football over the past decade with four Premier League titles having headed to the Etihad, with midfielder Fernandinho having been an unmistakable part of their triumphs in 2014, 2018 and 2019.
Those latter successes – under the guidance of Pep Guardiola – saw City set record-breaking levels of consistency, registering 198 points over two seasons and becoming the first side in Premier League history to reach a century of points in a campaign.
City’s incredible achievements of recent seasons have contributed to a win percentage of 69% for Fernandinho, with the Brazilian having been one of the division’s greatest midfield anchors for much of his time with the club.
Tactically intelligent, versatile and composed in possession, the current City captain is arguably the best of his generation in the holding role, whilst he will have his sights set on further success this season as Guardiola’s side bid to regain the title.
David Silva – 69.3%
The rise of Manchester City has seen some truly superb players ply their trade at the Etihad since the club’s billionaire investment, but whilst Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero all have their own claims to greatness it is perhaps David Silva who will be remembered as the very best.
Silva spent a decade with the club and racked up a wealth of major honours, earning four Premier League winners’ medals and compiling an astonishing win percentage of 69.3%.
The Spanish schemer was captivating to watch and ranks amongst the Premier League’s finest ever imports, Silva effortlessly brilliant in his ability to drop into pockets of space and unlock defences with moments of ingenuity.
Mesmerising close control and the footwork to navigate his way through heavy traffic, Silva scored 60 league goals in 304 appearances for City before calling time on his Premier League career to join Real Sociedad last summer.
Nemanja Vidic – 70.6%
Nemanja Vidic is recognised as one of the greatest defenders in Premier League history following a stellar career at Manchester United, the Serbian man-mountain a player fondly remembered for his unrelenting commitment and willingness to put his body on the line for the cause.
Vidic won five league titles and the Champions League amongst his honours after signing from Spartak Moscow, forming an iconic defensive partnership with Rio Ferdinand that many regard as the Premier League’s best ever defensive duo.
The defender’s quintet of league titles also included three in succession between 2007 and 2009, Vidic winning an incredible 149 of his 211 Premier League fixtures before leaving to join Inter Milan in 2014.
🔴 211 matches
🏆 5 #PL titles
🥇 2 Player of the Season awards
🙌 149 wins
❌ 95 clean sheets
⚽️ 15 goalsNemanja Vidic joined @ManUtd #OnThisDay in 2006! pic.twitter.com/uSXgddbLzt
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 5, 2021
Twice named as the Premier League’s Player of the Season, no player in the history of the division to have played 200+ games can better his win percentage of 70.6%.
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