Soccer stars come in a variety of forms and sizes, and the Premier League, the sport’s most watched division, is no exception. Watching an unusually tall football player perform has a strangely beautiful quality, even though other players use their petite height to dodge opponents and stay afoot in the smallest of places.
The tallest players frequently stand out like a sore thumb simply because they are so tall compared to everyone else on the field, whether it’s a goalie who can fill the sticks with his gigantic frame, a centre-back who controls aerial duels, or a striker who is frequently used as the quintessential target man.
However, many of the greatest football players of all time have been shorter than average. Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona, two players from Argentina, are a good example of how height may be advantageous on a football ground, particularly for players who prefer to use their hands rather than their feet. There are some true throwback names on this list, which examines the top 10 tallest players to ever play in a Premier League match.
| Ranking the 11 Tallest Players in Premier League History | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Teams | Premier League Matches Played | Height (cm) |
| 1 | Kjell Scherpen | 0 | 206 |
| 2 | Lucas Bergstrom | 0 | 205 |
| 3 | Carlos Miguel | 0 | 204 |
| 4 | Costel Pantilimon | 54 | 203 |
| 5 | Lacina Traore | 1 | 203 |
| 6 | Peter Crouch | 467 | 202 |
| 7 | Nikola Zigic | 25 | 202 |
| 8 | Stefan Maierhofer | 9 | 202 |
| 9 | Ian Feuer | 5 | 201 |
| 10 | Lars Leese | 9 | 201 |
| 11 | Stefan Postma | 11 | 201 |
Below are 10 Tallest Players in Premier League History:
1. Kjell Scherpen
Although he only played one game while in the Premier League, the Dutchman, who stands at an impressive 206 cm, joined Brighton & Hove Albion from Ajax back in 2021. In an attempt to offer him a wealth of professional football experience, Brighton’s management has put Kjell Scherpen through a number of stints at KV Oostende and Vitesse.
The young player, now on loan at Sturm Graz, is considered one of his country’s best goalkeeping exports in recent years and has made 18 appearances for the U21 team. Although Scherpen is only 24 years old, he has plenty of time to establish himself as a household name in England. However, considering his ranking on our list, he will already be among the astute spectators. Recall the name.
2. Lucas Bergstrom
The young player, who is currently on loan at Sturm Graz, has made 18 appearances for his country’s U21 team and is thought to be one of their best goalkeeping exports in recent years. Scherpen, who is only 24, has lots of time to establish himself as a household figure in England, but given his ranking on this list, he will already be regarded with suspicion. Do not forget the name.
However, the Finnish international, who has contributed to the Blues’ incredible squad depth this season, recently extended his contract at Stamford Bridge, so there’s a strong chance he’ll play in the Premier League for the first time in the future.
3. Carlos Miguel
Carlos Miguel, the most recent addition to this list, hasn’t played in the Premier League for very long. The goalie became one of the tallest players in the division’s history as soon as he joined Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2024. The Brazilian, who is 26 years old, has only made 33 appearances in professional football during his career, therefore he lacks experience.
Although it’s unclear how much of a role he will play in Forest’s plans, the 6′ 8″ keeper will be a formidable presence whether he’s in goal or just sitting on the bench.
4. Costel Pantilimon
Costel Pantilimon is most renowned for his time at Manchester City, when he primarily served as Joe Hart’s backup. He made 54 appearances for the trinity of City, Sunderland, and Watford in the English Premier League. His list of English teams has also expanded to include a transfer to Nottingham Forest, although in the Championship.
One of the fortunate players to have won a Premier League title, the goalie never really received the opportunity he was due in England. Being one of the tallest players to ever grace the Premier League, the 27-cap Romanian international, who is now 37 years old and retired, will always have a special place in the hearts of Premier League supporters.
5. Lacina Traore
Lacina Traore is still eligible for the list despite having a relatively brief stint in the Premier League with Everton in 2013–14. Actually, he was only added to the roster as a last-minute replacement on the last day of the season.
The Ivory Coast international, who is currently without a club, made his big-money move to Russian club Anzhi after making his debut as a motivated teenager with Cluj, but he was never able to establish himself wherever he ended up.
Despite being labelled one of Football Manager’s wonderkids in 2012, he never lived up to his name and instead became a journeyman, enduring turbulent experiences at clubs like Monaco, Sporting Gijon, and Amiens.
6. Peter Crouch
The individual. The legend. The myth. Peter Crouch leads the league’s all-time headed goal statistics because of his towering presence, but he was a multifaceted player. The former Liverpool striker will mostly be remembered for making those of average height appear little, but he was much more than just an outlet. He scored some spectacular world-beaters while he was on the game.
Crouch, who had earned his corn at numerous English clubs, had a 467-game career at the highest level, scoring 106 goals and dishing out 68 assists throughout that time. A legendary figure in the sport who has had a comparable influence on the podcasting industry.
7. Nikola Zigic
Nikola Zigic, a giant for Birmingham City. Do you recall him? For an estimated £6 million, the Serbian striker moved from Valencia to the then-Premier League team in 2010. He scored against Arsenal in the League Cup final to help the Brummies win their first trophy since 1963. Zigic, the quintessential conduit for football, demonstrated his value in front of goal for Red Star Belgrade but fell short in England.
Although Zigic will always be remembered for guiding Birmingham to one of their best days in history, his size only blessed the English top flight for one season as Alex McLeish’s team lost to relegation on the last day.
8. Stefan Maierhofer
Stefan Maierhofer, who was 202 cm tall, joined Mick McCarthy at Wolves in 2009. The Austrian forward began his career with Bayern Munich in Bavaria and went on to play for 23 different teams. However, he will be most known as the “tall guy” who played up top for Wolves in the legendary gold strip.
Having played most of his games with Rapid Vienna (60), the striker, who stood taller than most at 202 cm, ended his career during the summer at the age of 41. He is currently a coach at Burgenland U18s.
9. Ian Feuer
Although he is more well-known for his time spent in England’s lesser levels, Ian Feuer made a comeback to play for West Ham United three times during the 2000–01 season, making him the joint tallest custodian to earn a spot in the Premier League.
Although he did not play, the 201-cm-tall goalie had previously spent two seasons in east London from 1994 to 1996. Feuer, who was born in Las Vegas and retired in 2002 while playing with Wolves, has one international cap on his resume, and is currently coaching goalkeeping in the Major League Soccer league in Los Angeles.
10. Lars Leese
After playing nine games for Barnsley in the late 1990s, Lars Leese previously held the title for being the tallest player in the Premier League’s illustrious history. The tall ace, who only cost £250,000 to join, was primarily viewed as a backup to the first-choice goalkeepers at his respective clubs.
Born in Koln, Germany, Leese, now 55, played football for 16 years, making only 119 games. He ended his career at his boyhood club in 2003 after returning for two seasons. Despite his brief stay in England, Leese, who stands at an impressive 201 cm, is on the list.
11. Stefan Postma
Stefan Postma rarely had the chance to do so in the Premier League, frequently using his bulky physique to fill the majority of the goal. The now-48-year-old had a bit-part role throughout his four years with Aston Villa from 2002 to 2006, making just 11 league matches.
Despite not being the Villains’ top pick, Postma chose to stay in the Midlands and sign with Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he played 32 games before being sent back to his home nation of the Netherlands. The Dutchman has only earned one cap, at the U21 level, and has also had difficulty making an impression on the international scene.
