SportsJOE logo
Got a tip for us?

Play the SportsJoe quiz

Joe media uk hamburger menu
FootballGAARugbyWorld of SportsWomen in SportQuizBetting
football
Share icon

Share

14 La Liga imports who’ve flourished in the Premier League, and 7 who haven’t

Published 14:57 26 May 2015 BST

Updated 19:16 26 May 2015 BST

Ben Kiely
14 La Liga imports who’ve flourished in the Premier League, and 7 who haven’t

Home›football

Get our Pub Quizzes and latest news straight to you by clicking here »

Explore more on these topics:

Alberto Moreno

Alexis Sanchez

Ander Herrera

Angel di Maria

Cesc Fabregas

David de Gea

David Silva

Diego Costa

La Liga

Mesut Ozil

Pablo Zabaleta

Premier League

Roberto Soldado

Santi Cazorla

Sergio Aguero

Thibaut Courtois

Victor Valdes

More from SportsJOE

FootballGAARugbyWorld of SportsWomen in SportQuizBetting

Newsletter coming soon

Back to Top

More

About usPrivacy policyCookie policyTerms & conditionsContact us

Follow

InstagramFacebookYouTubeTikTokX

Contact

Contact usAdvertise with us
Log JOE Yellow

© 2026 SportsJOE or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved.

We present to you the best (and the worst) players who've made the move from La Liga and are now residing in the Premier League.

The Good

1. Sergio Aguero (Man City) Aguero turned out to be the exact player City had hoped when they bought him off Atletico Madrid for hat now seems like the bargain price of €45 million. Since then, he's bagged 106 goals in all competitions in just four seasons and has become arguably the finest sharpshooter in England. We're still trying to figure out how, despite finishing as the league's top marksman with 26 goals, the Argentine managed to miss out on the team of the year. Sunderland v Manchester City - Premier League 2. Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea) Despite being on Chelsea's books for nearly five years, from 2011/12 to 2013/14 Courtois was very much an Atletico Madrid player. The Spanish outfit claimed the La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the Europa League and a UEFA Super Cup with the Belgian between the sticks, and since rejoining the side they beat in the Super Cup, he's added even more trophies to the cabinet. 3. Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) Undoubtedly Arsenal's player of the season. It seems almost a disservice to call Sanchez a revelation considering he was fairly stellar at the Camp Nou. However, few predicted he'd adapt to the pace and the physicality of the Premier League so quickly. Barca's loss is certainly the Gunners' gain. 21 goals and nine assists in all competitions in his first season says it all, really. 4. David de Gea (Man Utd) He might not be a Premier League player for much longer, but he certainly left his mark on the league. During a season that has been, at times, somewhat tumultuous for the Red Devils, De Gea has been the paragon of consistency. Manchester United v Liverpool - Premier League 5. David Silva (Man City) We've gotten so used to seeing him in that sky blue jersey that you'd almost forget he had 119 appearances for Valencia before moving to the Etihad stadium. Silva's has become the fulcrum of City's attack and his link up play with Aguero often results in the ball in the opposition net. 6. Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) 2014/15 season was arguably Cazorla's best for the Gunners. Prior to 2014, he could be seen doing his time on the left wing like almost every relatively new Wenger signing, but has embraced his more central role this campaign. His 11 assists and seven goals in the league this season really illustrate his improvement. 7. Diego Costa (Chelsea) Costa didn't need long to find his feet in England. The striker was in lethal form in the first of the season. Although his form tapered off slightly after Christmas, mainly due to his niggling hamstring injury, he still finished with a tally of 20 goals and made the Team of the Year. Not bad for your first season in England. Chelsea v Liverpool - Capital One Cup Semi-Final: Second Leg 8. Ander Herrera (Man Utd) The former Athletic Bilbao man has been outstanding for United this season. Six goals and four assists is a decent return for a box-to-box midfielder plying his trade for the first time in England. 9. Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) If we had been putting this list together in January, Ozil probably wouldn't have joined the list of disappointing La Liga imports. However, the German has been stellar for the Gunners since the Christmas break. He finally started to gel with the likes of Sanchez and Cazorla and has produced some magical moments in the latter half of the campaign. 10. Pablo Zabaleta (Man City) Like Silva, Zabaleta has been playing for City for so long that we had almost forgotten he was anywhere else. He showed noticeable signs of decline this season, but overall he has had a fine career in England since joining City from Espanyol in 2008. Two league titles, an FA Cup and a club player of the year are just some of the accolades the Argentine boasts since making the switch from Spain. 11. Bojan Krkic (Stoke City) The ex-Barca man just about makes it into the good category. Even though he spent most of the season out injured, he looked sensational when he did play. Everton v Stoke City - Premier League 12. Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea) Injury slowed him down towards the latter half of the season, but the Barca cast-off really hit the ground running when he returned to the Premier League with the Blues. 21 assists and five goals in all competitions in a season is ridiculous return and he could well be the difference 13. Ayoze Perez (Newcastle) One of the few bright sparks in a dark season for the Toon. Perez's form came as a bit of a surprise considering he didn't figure in Carver's plans at the start of the season. The Newcastle boss had intended on loaning out the youngster, but when he began cropping up with goals, that idea was soon scrapped. NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MAY 09:  Ayoze Perez  of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion at St James' Park on May 9, 2015 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.  (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)   14. Yaya Toure (Man City) Despite being condemned for his form since returning from African Nations Cup win, Toure still managed to hit double figures for league goals this season. Has been a revelation since moving from La Liga and has become a real attacking threat. It's by no coincidence that Toure won African Player of the Year four times in a row after signing for Man City.

The Not So Good

1. Roberto Soldado (Tottenham) Tottenham splashed out a whopping £26 million to Valencia to snap up the striker, who finished that season as the fifth highest goalscorer in La Liga. In nearly 800 mins of league football this season, the Spaniard has remarkably only managed to find the net once. Jermain Defoe has scored four for Sunderland... just saying. MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18:  A dejected Roberto Soldado of Spurs acknowledges the travelling fans following their 4-1 defeat during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at Etihad Stadium on October 18, 2014 in Manchester, England.  (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) 2. Angel di Maria (Man Utd) A massive disappointment. After looking like he could set the league alight in his first few appearances, he quickly hit a slump. United face a real dilemma this summer whether to cut their losses and sell the big-money signing or keep him in the hope he'll come good eventually. 3. Filipe Luis (Chelsea) Hindsight is always 20/20 but Chelsea may well regret forking over £15 million to Atleitco Madrid for the Brazilian fullback who just doesn't seem to fit in at Stamford Bridge. 4. Alberto Moreno (Liverpool) The jury's still out over the former Sevilla defender. At times he looks like a real threat going forward, but seems to have graduated from the Ashley Young school of crossing. At the back, there is less confusion. For us, that is, he seems to be very confused about his role in defence, which is illustrated by his highly suspect positioning. LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 19:  Alberto Moreno of Liverpool in action during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match between Liverpool and Besiktas at Anfield on February 19, 2015 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.  (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) 5. Victor Valdes (Man Utd) Through absolutely no fault of his own, Valdes just hasn't been giving the opportunity to show what he can do at Old Trafford. Perhaps he'll rack up more appearances next season. 6. Jesus Navas (Man City) Not that Navas has been hugely disappointing this season, it's just he hasn't been massively impressive either. He feels like a bit of a luxury option in the talent-filled City midfield. SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 03:  Jesus Navas of Manchester City in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Manchester City at Stadium of Light on December 3, 2014 in Sunderland, England.  (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) 7. Javier Manquillo (Liverpool) 19. That's not just some random number we've plucked out of the air. It's the number of appearances Manquillo has made for the Reds this season, and he's been woeful in every single one of them.
Most Viewed in football
Premier League club facing point deduction punishment this summer

Premier League club facing point deduction punishment this summer

Football

Shamrock Rovers boss hits out at Heimir Hallgrimsson over selection of wonderkid

Shamrock Rovers boss hits out at Heimir Hallgrimsson over selection of wonderkid

Football

Quiz: Can you name every manager since 1998 to win the World Cup

Quiz: Can you name every manager since 1998 to win the World Cup

Football

Quiz: Who said this about Roy Keane leaving Saipan?

Quiz: Who said this about Roy Keane leaving Saipan?

Football

Cork City star scores one of the most bizarre solo-goals you’ll ever see

Cork City star scores one of the most bizarre solo-goals you’ll ever see

Football

More from SportsJOE

Connacht the big winners as Andy Farrell names Ireland summer tour squad

Premier League club facing point deduction punishment this summer

Kerry great believes Brennan words have handed Donegal big advantage

Ben Kiely
More

News

Top Story

Premier League club facing point deduction punishment this summer

Top Story

Premier League club facing point deduction punishment this summer

Shamrock Rovers boss hits out at Heimir Hallgrimsson over selection of wonderkid

Shamrock Rovers boss hits out at Heimir Hallgrimsson over selection of wonderkid

Football

Premier League club facing point deduction punishment this summer

Premier League club facing point deduction punishment this summer

Football

Shamrock Rovers boss hits out at Heimir Hallgrimsson over selection of wonderkid

Shamrock Rovers boss hits out at Heimir Hallgrimsson over selection of wonderkid

Football

Quiz: Can you name every manager since 1998 to win the World Cup

Quiz: Can you name every manager since 1998 to win the World Cup

Football

Quiz: Who said this about Roy Keane leaving Saipan?

Quiz: Who said this about Roy Keane leaving Saipan?

Football

Premier League club facing point deduction punishment this summer

Top Story

Premier League club facing point deduction punishment this s...

Premier League club facing point deduction punishment this summer

Championship play-off winners, Hull City – despite winning over £200 Million pounds for defeating Middlesbrough in dramatic fashion – are deemed to be breaking the Premier League’s profit & sustainability rules. The newly promoted Premier League side are facing PSR breaches with the club needing to sell multiple players this month. PSR is the Premier […]

6h

Football

6h

Shamrock Rovers boss hits out at Heimir Hallgrimsson over selection of wonderkid

Quiz: Can you name every manager since 1998 to win the World Cup

Football

Quiz: Who said this about Roy Keane leaving Saipan?

Football

Cork City star scores one of the most bizarre solo-goals you’ll ever see

Football

Quiz: Can you name every manager since 1998 to win the World Cup

Quiz: Can you name every manager since 1998 to win the World Cup

Football

Quiz: Who said this about Roy Keane leaving Saipan?

Quiz: Who said this about Roy Keane leaving Saipan?

Football

FAI announce official decision for Ireland v Israel venue

Football

Live sport on TV in Ireland this weekend – Football, GAA, Rugby – June 12-14th

Football

Former England international admits he wishes he had played for Ireland

Football

Shamrock Rovers boss hits out at Heimir Hallgrimsson over se...

Shamrock Rovers boss hits out at Heimir Hallgrimsson over selection of wonderkid

Interesting… Shamrock Rovers manager, Stephen Bradley, has criticised the inclusion of one of his young stars in Ireland’s recent friendly camp in May. Ireland played Qatar and Canada in what was intended to be World Cup warm-up games for the ongoing North-American tournament. Although, meaningless games, Heimir Hallgrimsson was able to showcase the talent that […]

1 day ago

Football

1 day ago

Quiz: Can you name every manager since 1998 to win the World Cup

Quiz: Can you name every manager since 1998 to win the World...

Quiz: Can you name every manager since 1998 to win the World Cup

Tricky… Okay so we all know you can name World Cup winning captains. And with the North-American tournament finally underway, new legends will be created this summer. Can you name every World Cup winning gaffer since 1998? Best of luck and let us know how you get on!

1 day ago

Football

1 day ago

Cork City star scores one of the most bizarre solo-goals you’ll ever see

Cork City star scores one of the most bizarre solo-goals you’ll ever see

Football

Ireland warned of huge punishment for wider sport if Israel game had been boycotted

Ireland warned of huge punishment for wider sport if Israel game had been boycotted

Football

32 is the score to beat in our World Cup legends quiz

Football