The Shortest English Premier League Player

The adage that a “good big’un always beats a good little’un” is not necessarily true in sports. There have always been many short players in the English Premier League (EPL), despite England’s propensity for ‘big’ footballers. Several players measure equal in height in the top division. There is an Englishman, a Ghanaian, and a Brazilian among the shortest-ever Premier League players. 

England has always been enthralled with strong, physical footballers. English football tradition is about ‘target men’ and big number nines and monster midfielders, never mind the hulking central defender. While the midfielders fought for possession through crunching tackles, the forwards spent entire matches waiting in the box for lumped-in long balls, crosses and set pieces.

Several players share the top spot for shortest EPL footballers. There is not much difference in height between the ten tiniest players. SportsBoom created a list of the shortest English Premier League players in history. The list includes past and present Premier League footballers. Surprisingly, Michael Owen does not make the list of shortest-ever EPL players.

Image Credits: Gordon Flood

Premier League Footballers Have Not Traditionally Been Short

Throughout English football history, players have tended to be big, tall, and strong. Football has always been a physical sport, although not as brutal as in past years. Governing bodies and officials have clamped down on tackling because star players began to get injured for months, sometimes seasons, which is bad for the brand. 

However, smaller football players have been en vogue since Pep Guardiola fielded a team of short players at Barcelona in the late 2000s. Guardiola went against the grain, against the misconception that small players struggled to compete against taller opponents. 

Image Credits: Tsutomu Takasu 

Guardiola fielded a team with Lionel Messi - who suffered from growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and required treatment since he was twelve years old, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Dani Alves, and Pedro, among others. Due to Guardiola’s sustained success, clubs tried replicating his blueprint. Despite many managers and clubs buying small players, not all have achieved his success. Guardiola’s influence has paved the way for shorter, smaller footballers in the Premier League.