Despite the powerhouse that the Premier League has long been for top talents, as well as the reverence for the Italian national team and many clubs in Europe, there isn’t a huge amount of crossover, historically speaking. It’s not too often that one of the top Italian players from Serie A goes to England, or vice versa.
We have seen some Italian talents make the move and enjoy very successful seasons. Jorginho is a fine example of this. Chelsea snagged him from Napoli in 2018/19 for around €57 million. In 2022/23, he then moved to Arsenal for just over €11 million to help to try to push the team to the title.
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He was rumoured to be on AC Milan’s transfer radar, but over the summer, the Italian national team midfielder of 57 caps and five goals went back to Brazil, where he was born. As talented as Jorginho is, his seven years in the Premier League couldn’t build upon a stat that one former AC Milan player held alone until 2024/25.
Former AC Milan Striker Now One of Two for Surprising Stat
The 1992/93 campaign was the Premier League’s inaugural season. It was quickly established as a financial powerhouse and was capable of attracting top players from around the world. Since 1992, the Italian national team has won the FIFA World Cup (2006) and come runners-up (1994), won the Euros (2020) and come runners-up twice (2000 and 2012).
Yet, until very recently, only one Premier League-winning team had fielded an Italian player enough for them to get a winners’ medal. Former AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli was the first Italian to win a Premier League medal, and it took until 2011/12 for him to become the first Italian to do this.
Then, just last season, a player who had talks with AC Milan before leaving Juventus, Federico Chiesa completed a move to Liverpool. Predominantly due to injury, but also due to the superb form of those in his position who didn’t get injured, the Italian only played 104 minutes, but did make six appearances to get a medal.
Under Premier League rules, teams must award any player who has taken to the pitch in the division at least five times gets a winners’ medal. Before Chiesa had made his fifth appearance, Liverpool.com confirmed a medal would be coming the Italian’s way.
However, one other Italian player has won the Premier League. Manchester United’s Federico Macheda only played four games in 2008/09, but in those brief cameos, the Italian striker did score two game-winning goals and set up another game-winner. Even so, Macheda went without a medal.
Will Another Italian Join Balotelli and Chiesa this Year?
There are ten Italian players in the Premier League as of July 30. Of those players, two are playing for teams who’re among the favourites to win the top flight, while another three could be considered as being with distinct dark horses. Obviously, the frontrunner is the second Italian to claim a winners’ medal, Federica Chiesa.
As of July 30, the Premier League betting markets are marginally leaning towards Liverpool to win the league at odds of +175. The Reds have greatly reinforced over the summer with the likes of Jeremie Frimpong (€40m) to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold, Milos Kerkez (€47m), Hugo Ekitiké (€95m), and Florian Wirtz (€125m).
So, they’re in a pretty good place to repeat as champions. Chiesa will need to avoid injury this season if the Italian is to get his hands on another medal. Liverpool’s main competitors, again, look to be Arsenal. The Gunners have also enjoyed a hot summer window and open the season just back with odds of +225 to finally take the crown.
Arsenal’s resident Italian is the versatile defender Riccardo Calafiori, who impressed just about any time he was fit and could make it onto the pitch. As of July 30, he’s injured, but will be relied upon when he returns. His new teammates include Christian Nørgaard (€12m), Cristhian Mosquera (€15m), Noni Madueke (€56m), and Martín Zubimendi (€70m).
Of course, their biggest signing came in the form of Viktor Gyökeres. As Football London has reported, the Swede has already been showing off his sharpshooting prowess before the 2025/26 season and may finally get the Gunners over the line.
Beyond the two frontrunners for the title, we get into distinct dark horse territory. We have Newcastle United at +2800, who still have the AC Milan forever fan Sandro Tonali on their books. Tottenham Hotspur have two Italians in Destiny Udogie and Guglielmo Vicario, but are even further out at +5000 to win the league.
By the looks of it, there’s a good chance that more than two Italian players will be able to boast about having a Premier League winners’ medal by the end of the 2025/26 campaign.
