Will a local player ever play in the English Premier League?

The English Premier League is of the biggest leagues in the world and it attracts a host of players from across the world. However, the English Premier League has never seen a player from Malta play in the league. So, will these change anytime soon or will the people of Malta have to wait a bit longer to see a player represent them in the Premier League?

Maltese playing standard

The Maltese Premier League is somewhat a way off the English Premier League. In fact, the standard of football, as of June 2022, tranks 46th out of 55 members in the UEFA coefficient. With the winners of the league gaining qualification to the first round of the Champions League but with back up to the Europa Conference League if they fail. 

The league is professional and the highest rank in Malta but it is not one of the strongest leagues in Europe. This translates to the national side as well. With the league starting on the 19th of August look at newbettingsites.uk for the best odds on the league. 

Maltese players in the English League

There have been many players that have played in the English Football League that were born in Malta. John Cutbush, Dylan Kerr, John Buttigieg, Joe Cini and Luke Dimech all played for English Clubs over the past few decades and several of them turned out for the national side.

One player who was part of the league in the early years was Cornelius Hogan. He was certainly a prestigious player as he turned out in the football league for New Brighton Tower and Burnley. 

Currently, Luke Gambin, not Maltese-born, plays for Sutton United (League Two) but has played for Malta over 30 times. 

Has anyone come close?

Michael Mifsud has been the closest to representing Malta in the Premier League. The all-time record Maltese goalscorer played for Coventry and Barnsley in the second tier of English football; just one below the Premier League.

Mifsud's clubs did not really challenge promotion to the Premier League but he adapted to the English game quite easily and found the net 25 times during his time in England. He was most remembered for his winning goal against Manchester United in the League Cup at Old Trafford. 

Is there anyone who can do it?

With the Maltese League not of the same standard as the English Premier League, it will be hard to see someone make the step up directly from league to league but there could be a player who rises through the leagues in the next few years.

Two players are rated highly for the future of Maltese football centre-back Matthew Ellul and winger Mattia Veselji. 

With only Gambin, Teddy Teuma, Zach Muscat, James Brown, Alexander Satariano, Jake Galea and Joseph Mbong all playing outside of Malta, it could be a few more years before we see a Maltese international in the Premier League. 

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