The Premier League is one of the most diverse footballing divisions in the world. Some players have and continue to ply their trade from all four corners, with Asia having produced plenty who have found themselves in England’s top flight. And some Asian players have impressed more than others over the years.
Heung-min Son
Heung-min Son, 30, is arguably the best Asian player on the planet right now. The attacker, who plays for Spurs, became the first Asian player to win the Premier League golden boot. He continues to be someone who can make a difference in the Spurs challenge for a Champions League place, according to bwin sportsbook. While of late, Son has suffered a slight dip in form, he responded to being benched by coming onto the pitch and scoring a brilliant hat trick, which shows just how good of a player he continues to be. If he could add silverware before he departs, it would be well deserved.
Ji-sung Park
When Ji-sung Park arrived at Manchester United from PSV Eindhoven in 2005, the South Korean almost instantly became a fan favorite. Park was a player who was perfect for the roles handed to him by then-manager Sir Alex Ferguson because of his work rate and ability to stick to a game plan. While some may suggest that fellow South Korean Son has impressed more from a technical standpoint, and of course, in the goals he’s scored, Park is the most decorated Asian player of the Premier League era, winning the title four times as well as the Champions League and a whole host of other domestic honors.
Shinji Okazaki
We have to include Shinji Okazaki on this list because he’s another player who hails from Asia with a Premier League winners medal to his name. Okazaki arrived from FSV Mainz 05 in 2015, and the following year, 2016, he had his hands on the Premier League trophy after Leicester City shocked the world. The Japanese striker, who has played over one hundred times for his country, led the line well for the Foxes and stayed until 2019 before departing for new pastures. But what an impact he had. Okazaki continues to pay at the tender age of thirty-six in Belgium.
Shinji Kagawa
Shinji Kagawa, who incidentally is a teammate of Okazaki at Belgian club Sint Truiden, is another Asian player who rocked up in the Premier League and at Manchester United. The Japanese megastar arrived from Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund in 2012, won the Premier League title, the last United have won so far, and then departed in 2014, returning to Dortmund. It’s fair to say that things didn’t go as well as expected for Kagawa during his time at Old Trafford. However, he remained one of the greatest Asian players of all time and showed glimpses of what he’s capable of.