The Premier League is one of the most diverse football leagues in the world. Since the mid-1990s more and more players have travelled from overseas to enhance the division and transform themselves into legends of the game.
And when it comes to the Danish, there have been more than just a few. The Danes were among the first nationalities outside of the Home Nations to arrive in the English top flight, but who have been the greatest?
With so many to choose from, we decided to have a debate around the office and come up with our top five…
Of course, it’s impossible to not begin with the big man himself, Peter Schmeichel. The goalkeeper played for three Premier League clubs in total, but it was his time at Manchester United where he truly became an icon.
Joining from Brondby, the stopper played almost 400 games under Sir Alex Ferguson, helping the club secure five league titles, as well as three FA Cups, a League Cup and of course, the Champions League.
It’s the latter that would be his very last game for United, before moving on to a handful of clubs around Europe, including Manchester City and Aston Villa.
Thomas Gravesen enjoyed a great spell at Goodison Park, in the centre of the park alongside fellow bald man Lee Carsley. He was a real enforcer in the heart of the midfield and helped Everton secure a top four spot in what was a remarkable achievement for the club.
Real Madrid then came calling, before the boldest move of his career when he retired and settled for life in Las Vegas. The midfielder is a keen gambler today, enjoying a range of new bookies, and as such has built himself quite the fortune. In fact, such is his prowess of casino games he’s believed to have earned over £100million in winnings! Great Dane indeed.
One player who has yet to hang up his boots for a life of luxury in the world’s great casinos, although he may have almost had to do so, is Christian Eriksen.
The midfielder is a Spurs legend, but moved on to Inter Milan in recent years before a tragic accident halted his career during Euro 2021. He’s back playing now though, and in the Premier League, having signed for Brentford as he looks to get his career back on track.
Anything his Dad can do, Kasper can do just as well. It was impossible to leave the father and son duo off, particularly with Kasper having really thrived at Leicester over the last few years.
He’s been at the Foxes since 2011 and was part of the remarkable title winning squad of 2015/16. There’s long been rumours that he may leave for a bigger club, but he’s remained loyal to the East Midlands club and has not only cemented his spot as a club legend but a Premier League one.
He’s now entering the twilight of his career, but with an FA Cup winners medal to join his Premier League medal he can certainly consider it a career well done.
There were a few contenders for the final spot in our top five, such as Martin Laursen and of course Niklas Bendtner, but it’s Liverpool’s Daniel Agger that gets the nod. On his day he was one of the best centre backs in the league and for eight years he enjoyed some stellar performances at Anfield.
At the club he won the League Cup and Community Shield, while he also picked up Danish Player of the Year on two occasions.
He’s since retired and moved into coaching where he’s the current manager of HB Koge in his homeland. A move back to Liverpool one day? Never say never.
