We’ve seen some truly iconic foreign player grace the Premier League over the last 29 years.
The debate will rage on for some time about who was the very best we’ve seen, with club loyalties often swaying decisions.
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Going on statistics alone, eight of the top 20 top goalscorers in Premier League history came from abroad, but that often doesn’t tell the whole story.
It was a topic discussed on talkSPORT Breakfast this morning with the debate kicked off by The Sun’s football writer Neil Custis, who stated his case for Man City hero Sergio Aguero.
“If I was a manager of a football team and I had Aguero, I’d play him on one leg never mind when he’s nearly fit,” Custis said.
“He’s the best foreign player ever to play in the Premier League.
“He’s the most instinctive goalscorer that plays in this country and offers so much to Man City now.”
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talkSPORT host Trevor Sinclair was in agreement that Aguero deserved his place at the top of the tree due to his achievements.
He said: “I think 256 goals in 382 games, four titles, FA Cup, four League Cups, the most iconic moment, 93:20, in Premier League history. Sergio Aguero.”
Aguero has scored the fourth most goals in Premier League history with 180, five more than Thierry Henry managed while at Arsenal.
Gunners legend Ray Parlour named his top three and was cautious not to show too much bias towards his own team.
“Do you know who I used to love, Bergkamp. I’d go Cantona, his impact was unbelievable,” Parlour said.
“When he put his collar up, some of the goals and antics he got up to.
“I think Drogba made a massive impact. Zola as well. It’s really difficult to pick.
“I loved Dennis Bergkamp, he’d usually be in my top three but it’s being too biased then.
“Henry for his goals, people will probably put him as number one. Then Cantona for his impact. Aguero would get in my top three.”
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Alan Brazil also made a case for Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo for his achievements at Old Trafford that went beyond the amount of goals scored.
“What about Cristiano Ronaldo?” Brazil said.
“He has a strong argument for being the Premier League’s greatest import. He’s a goal machine, won three league titles in a row as well as the Ballon d’Or at Manchester United.”
Premier League goals by foreign players
Sergio Aguero – 180 goals
Theirry Henry – 175 goals
Robin van Persie – 144 goals
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink – 127 goals
Nicolas Anelka – 125 goals
Dwight Yorke – 123 goals
Romelu Lukaku – 113 goals
Didier Drogba – 104 goals
Emmanuel Adebayor – 97 goals
Ruud van Nistelrooy – 95 goals
Dennis Bergkamp – 87 goals
Cristiano Ronaldo – 84 goals
Eric Cantona – 70 goals
Gianfranco Zola – 59 goals
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