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At OLBG, we’ve taken inspiration from articles and trends in 2024 to generate our very own ranking of cult heroes from the ‘Barclays era of the Premier League. As a result, we’ve analysed the 2004/05 to 2015/16 Premier League seasons, looking at goals and assists to discipline records and online popularity. Despite not every player on this list being the brightest star, these players lit up the Premier League in their own unique way.
🌟 Cult Heroes of the Premier League!
Whether you're exploring football history for entertainment purposes or exploring trends, this ranking highlights the lesser-known players who made the game even more memorable.
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The Premier League's ultimate cult heroes
1. Lukas Podolski - Cult hero score: 8.80/10
Lukas Podolski earned his cult status at Arsenal, leaving a legacy for scoring unforgettable goals. Though his Premier League appearance was brief, in just three seasons, Podolski's efficiency was unmatched, with a goal contribution almost every 1.5 games. His 0.56 goals on average per 90 minutes places him among the era's cult heroes.
2. Chris Wood - Cult hero score: 7.27/10
Chris Wood’s Premier League journey started with relatively limited appearances, playing for West Bromwich Albion for the 2008/09 and 2010/11 seasons and Leicester City in 2014/15. However, his impact per 90 minutes is almost unparalleled, averaging 0.79 goals per 90 minutes. Although his position in our ranking of cult heroes is down to his early performances, Wood’s current career in the Premier League has only enhanced his reputation. The New Zealander has been searched for more than two million times in the past year on Google.
3. Edin Džeko - Cult hero score: 7.14/10
Edin Džeko, the ‘Bosnian Diamond,’ significantly impacted the Premier League during his spell with Manchester City. Džeko played a pivotal role in some of the club’s most iconic moments, with one famous goal coming in City's 2012 title win against QPR. His 0.57 goals per 90 minutes reflect a striker who consistently delivered as an attacking player. The over 4.2 million Google searches Džeko received last year highlight his enduring global appeal, driven by his Premier League performances and his later success in Serie A.
| Rank | Player | Goals per 90 minutes | Assists per 90 minutes | Yellow and red cards per 90 minutes | Google searches | Google news articles | Cult hero score /10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lukas Podolski | 0.56 | 0.28 | 0.02 | 2,570,000 | 1,380 | 8.80 |
| 2 | Chris Wood | 0.79 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2,199,500 | 22,800 | 7.27 |
| 3 | Edin Džeko | 0.57 | 0.16 | 0.11 | 4,235,000 | 2,270 | 7.14 |
| 4 | Javier Hernández | 0.69 | 0.20 | 0.15 | 963,100 | 13,000 | 7.12 |
| 5 | Rafael van der Vaart | 0.48 | 0.30 | 0.14 | 1,166,500 | 2,990 | 7.09 |
| 6 | Carlos Vela | 0.63 | 0.07 | 0.05 | 2,810,000 | 15,100 | 7.02 |
| 7 | Dušan Tadić | 0.25 | 0.41 | 0.08 | 2,611,000 | 3,750 | 6.99 |
| 7 | Asamoah Gyan | 0.45 | 0.18 | 0.00 | 489,900 | 300 | 6.99 |
| 9 | Jamie Vardy | 0.45 | 0.25 | 0.20 | 3,790,000 | 2,680 | 6.86 |
| 10 | Peter Crouch | 0.34 | 0.19 | 0.09 | 3,715,000 | 439 | 6.53 |
| 11 | Dimitar Berbatov | 0.55 | 0.18 | 0.06 | 420,800 | 300 | 6.51 |
| 12 | Robbie Keane | 0.48 | 0.13 | 0.07 | 780,000 | 1,180 | 6.38 |
| 13 | Park Ji-sung | 0.23 | 0.18 | 0.04 | 1,580,000 | 1,510 | 6.25 |
| 14 | Samuel Eto'o | 0.48 | 0.13 | 0.09 | 3,366,000 | 643 | 6.12 |
| 14 | Andrey Arshavin | 0.35 | 0.33 | 0.11 | 1,333,000 | 300 | 6.12 |
| 16 | Louis Saha | 0.43 | 0.10 | 0.02 | 423,300 | 1,210 | 5.95 |
| 17 | Nicolas Anelka | 0.33 | 0.14 | 0.01 | 1,887,000 | 300 | 5.92 |
| 18 | Andy Carroll | 0.35 | 0.18 | 0.18 | 1,440,500 | 2,780 | 5.89 |
| 19 | Dean Ashton | 0.51 | 0.05 | 0.00 | 75,600 | 1,220 | 5.79 |
| 20 | Marko Arnautović | 0.19 | 0.23 | 0.09 | 1,995,000 | 1,170 | 5.74 |
| 21 | Emmanuel Adebayor | 0.42 | 0.16 | 0.10 | 1,582,000 | 300 | 5.64 |
| 22 | Kevin Phillips | 0.42 | 0.07 | 0.03 | 315,700 | 5,830 | 5.46 |
| 23 | Luis García | 0.33 | 0.23 | 0.26 | 672,000 | 132,000 | 5.38 |
| 24 | Landon Donovan | 0.14 | 0.43 | 0.14 | 1,130,500 | 1,790 | 5.31 |
| 25 | Demba Ba | 0.56 | 0.04 | 0.03 | 543,600 | 300 | 5.26 |
| 26 | Benjani Mwaruwari | 0.25 | 0.17 | 0.02 | 74,800 | 300 | 5.08 |
| 27 | Hatem Ben Arfa | 0.32 | 0.16 | 0.06 | 405,400 | 286 | 5.05 |
| 28 | Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink | 0.42 | 0.20 | 0.21 | 612,700 | 300 | 5.03 |
| 29 | Yakubu | 0.42 | 0.14 | 0.07 | 237,900 | 300 | 4.97 |
| 30 | Dirk Kuyt | 0.28 | 0.15 | 0.07 | 768,000 | 300 | 4.90 |
| 31 | Elano | 0.30 | 0.24 | 0.13 | 265,500 | 146 | 4.59 |
| 32 | Mikael Forssell | 0.23 | 0.17 | 0.02 | 61,100 | 83 | 4.47 |
| 33 | Craig Bellamy | 0.36 | 0.13 | 0.24 | 604,500 | 4,560 | 4.46 |
| 33 | Jimmy Bullard | 0.26 | 0.15 | 0.07 | 365,700 | 300 | 4.46 |
| 35 | Nwankwo Kanu | 0.23 | 0.14 | 0.08 | 368,100 | 300 | 3.88 |
| 36 | Clint Dempsey | 0.31 | 0.09 | 0.10 | 565,100 | 300 | 3.70 |
| 37 | Jay-Jay Okocha | 0.14 | 0.09 | 0.06 | 1,055,000 | 300 | 3.55 |
| 38 | Matthew Taylor | 0.17 | 0.11 | 0.12 | 13,500 | 23,800 | 3.45 |
| 39 | Michu | 0.34 | 0.10 | 0.16 | 510,000 | 300 | 3.39 |
| 40 | Adel Taarabt | 0.10 | 0.15 | 0.13 | 691,100 | 300 | 3.29 |
| 41 | Morten Gamst Pedersen | 0.15 | 0.17 | 0.13 | 149,300 | 93 | 3.16 |
| 42 | Tim Cahill | 0.29 | 0.11 | 0.25 | 420,800 | 379 | 3.04 |
| 43 | Kevin Davies | 0.23 | 0.14 | 0.24 | 63,000 | 2,440 | 3.01 |
| 44 | Leighton Baines | 0.09 | 0.15 | 0.12 | 175,900 | 300 | 2.91 |
| 45 | Duncan Ferguson | 0.24 | 0.12 | 0.25 | 414,100 | 837 | 2.83 |
| 46 | Shola Ameobi | 0.24 | 0.13 | 0.23 | 93,300 | 271 | 2.40 |
| 47 | Geovanni | 0.38 | 0.07 | 0.39 | 78,300 | 96 | 2.22 |
| 48 | Rory Delap | 0.10 | 0.06 | 0.22 | 290,200 | 202 | 1.28 |
| 49 | Tony Hibbert | 0.00 | 0.06 | 0.19 | 49,500 | 129 | 0.94 |
| 50 | Tugay | 0.06 | 0.03 | 0.36 | 12,040 | 300 | 0.35 |
The Premier League cult heroes with the most goals per 90 minutes
1. Chris Wood - 0.79 average goals per 90 minutes
Between the 2004/05 and 2016/16 Premier League seasons, Chris Wood scored 0.79 goals per 90 minutes on average, proving his striking ability. While Wood wasn’t a consistent Premier League starter during these years, he made the most of his chances, setting him apart from the rest of our unsung heroes in this ranking.
2. Javier Hernández - 0.69 average goals per 90 minutes
Javier Hernández, or ‘Chicharito,’ was a fan favourite at Manchester United for his ability to score under challenging situations. The Mexican striker demonstrated his attacking ability with an average of 0.69 goals per 90 minutes. Hernández had some unforgettable moments, including his 2011 goal against Chelsea, which he scored just 36 seconds into the match.
3. Carlos Vela - 0.63 average goals per 90 minutes
Carlos Vela may not have made as many headlines as other players during his stay at Arsenal, but his 0.63 goals per 90 minutes speaks to his ability. Vela’s impressive hat-trick against Sheffield United in the 2008 League Cup highlighted his talent. Though his time in the Premier League was short, Vela’s cult status has lasted partly because of his dominance in Major League Soccer, where he outscored European legends such as Zlatan Ibrahimović, making him one of football’s enduring heroes.
The Premier League cult heroes with the most assists per 90 minutes
1. Landon Donovan - 0.43 average assists per 90 minutes
Landon Donovan’s two brief loan spells at Everton from LA Galaxy were enough to secure his cult hero status — especially amongst the Goodison Park faithful. Averaging 0.43 assists per 90 minutes, Donovan added a spark to Everton’s attack during the 2009/10 and 2011/12 seasons. One of his standout performances came in a 2-1 victory against Manchester City in 2010, where his cross set up Tim Cahill’s opener.
2. Dušan Tadić - 0.41 average assists per 90 minutes
Dušan Tadić quickly became a fan favourite for his creativity and technical ability at Southampton. With an average of 0.41 assists per 90 minutes, Tadić contributed to the Saints’ resurgence as a competitive Premier League side. Notably, in Southampton’s historic 8-0 win over Sunderland in 2014, Tadić made three assists in a masterclass of attacking football. His precision from set pieces made him one of the league’s most exciting players during this time.
3. Andrey Arshavin - 0.33 average assists per 90 minutes
Andrey Arshavin’s time at Arsenal may have been inconsistent, but his moments of brilliance cemented his cult hero status. His four-goal performance against Liverpool in 2009 often overshadows his assist contributions. However, Arshavin's assists were just as influential, setting up 41 goals before his departure from the club.
The Premier League cult heroes with the most cards per 90 minutes
1. Geovanni - 0.39 average yellow or red cards per 90 minutes
Geovanni was a one-of-a-kind player combining moments of magic with a competitive streak. Known for scoring spectacular goals for Hull City, including a winner against Arsenal in 2008, the Brazilian also attracted controversy on the field. His average of 0.39 cards per 90 minutes reflects his approach to the game.
2. Tugay - 0.36 average yellow or red cards per 90 minutes
Blackburn Rovers’ midfielder Tugay played with a tough edge. While he’s often remembered for his precise long-range goals, his average of 0.36 cards per 90 minutes showcases how he played. Despite his high card rate, Tugay’s cult status stems from his longevity.
3. Luis García - 0.26 average or and red cards per 90 minutes
Luis García’s made an impact with his goal-scoring abilities, although he wasn’t shy about getting stuck into the game either. This cost the Spaniard dearly as a late red card against West Ham near the end of the 2005/2006 season ultimately meant that he missed out on the FA Cup Final against the same opposition through suspension. With an average of 0.26 cards per 90 minutes, García combined talent with controversy during his time at Liverpool.
The most popular Premier League cult heroes
1. Edin Džeko - 4.2 million Google searches | 2,270 Google news articles
Edin Džeko’s popularity originates from his Manchester City days, including his contribution towards their historic 2012 title-winning campaign. Fans continue searching for Džeko today due to his recent success in Serie A with Roma and Inter Milan, and he is now playing with Turkish side Fenerbahçe.
2. Jamie Vardy - 3.8 million Google searches | 2,680 Google news articles
Jamie Vardy’s rise from non-league football to Premier League fame is among the sport’s most inspiring stories. Vardy’s 2015/16 campaign, when Leicester City shocked the world to win the title, captured the imagination of football fans worldwide.
3. Peter Crouch - 3.7 million Google searches | 439 Google news articles
Peter Crouch became famous for his footballing ability and personality, which shined on the pitch during his ‘robot dance’ celebration. Crouch’s ability to score unconventional goals, including an overhead kick for Stoke City against Manchester City in 2012, made him a cult favourite. His popularity persists today thanks to his post-retirement podcast and media presence.
Cult heroes that made less of an impact
While many cult heroes captured fans through unforgettable performances or undeniable stats, others made their names despite having less of a numerical impact.
Former Everton defender Tony Hibbert sits among the bottom players in our ranking, with no Premier League goals and just 0.06 assists per 90 minutes on average. Despite this, his status as an Everton icon remains undisturbed, a testament to his impressive defending across many years at the club. Hibbert's lack of attacking contributions placed him low in our ranking, but many fans fondly remember his consistency in the Toffees' backline.
Rory Delap earned a cult following despite averaging just 0.10 goals and 0.06 assists per 90 minutes. His long throw-ins overshadowed his modest attacking returns, turning Stoke City into one of the league’s most respected set-piece teams.
Even forward Shola Ameobi, with a modest 0.24 goals and 0.13 assists per 90 minutes, cemented his cult status through key performances in Tyne-Wear derbies for Newcastle United.
Methodology
We looked at all Premier League players from the 2004/05 to 2015/16 seasons.
We took inspiration from articles covering relevant topics, such as ‘50 of the best ‘cult heroes’ to grace the Premier League’ and the ‘Ultimate Barclaysmen XI’ to narrow down some of our selected players for the seeding list.
We sourced the number of goals, assists, yellow cards, and red cards using Fbref. We calculated the average for each player metric across all season appearances. We removed all players with no goals or no assists, players who only appeared in one season in the time frame, all players who have passed away, and players who did not fit the cult hero definition. We sourced the number of global Google searches for each player between November 1, 2023, and October 31, 2024, ensuring search terms were relevant to each player using Google Ads Keyword Planner.
We ranked each player based on goals, assists, and cards per 90 minutes, Google searches, and Google news articles, with searches and articles given half weight to reveal the ultimate Premier League cult heroes.
