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Tottenham has seen its fair share of players come and go through its ranks since the Premier League began in 1992, but who were the best?
Some are remembered fondly, some bitterly. Some came from the clubs where they made their names, others went on to make their names with the clubs they joined after they left Tottenham.
A precious few earned their reputation with Spurs and stuck around for the long haul. And indeed, some have been outright forgotten.
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No, the Premier League era hasn’t seen Tottenham earn any particularly great triumphs. Two League Cup trophies – one from 1999, the other from 2008 – are the only pieces of silverware it earned.
There have been some top four finishes and plenty of near-misses, though there have also been some profound dips in form and periods of hard-to-imagine-now stagnation. Perhaps the biggest point of pride Tottenham can claim from the Premier League era is that they are one of only seven clubs never to have been relegated.
Through all of it, Tottenham recruited and benefited from some of the best players in its long and storied history. The following is a ranking of just 50 of those players.
Next: Number 50...
50. Kasey Keller
Position: Goalkeeper
Years Served: 2001-2005
Stats: 85 appearances, 128 goals conceded, 15 clean sheets
Tottenham rotated through a number of longterm goalkeepers throughout its Premier League history, as you’ll see. Keller’s time at Tottenham was notable for his fine play but also for helping to usher in a generation of fine American goalkeepers.
Brad Friedel, Tim Howard and Brad Guzan owe some small part of their success to Keller’s career with Tottenham and elsewhere. Friedel in particular followed in Keller’s footsteps at Spurs and became an excellent keeper at White Hart Lane.
Next: Number 49...
49. Roman Pavlyuchenko
Position: Striker
Years Served: 2008-2012
Stats: 113 appearances, 42 goals 10 assists
Roman Pavlyuchenko’s career with Tottenham might seem like a blip because he was a fourth-choice striker throughout his tenure. But make no mistake, when Pavlyuchenko scored, he scored frequently whenever he was on the pitch. In 113 appearances for the club, many of them as a substitute, the Russian striker scored 42 times.
If you have a higher goals per minute ratio than Jermain Defoe, Robbie Keane and Peter Crouch, and you’re hardly ever used, then you’re doing something right as a super-sub-like player. Unfortunately for the Russian striker, Harry Redknapp still wasn’t convinced.
Next: Number 48...
48. Gary Doherty
Position: Center-back
Years Served: 2000-2004
Stats: 65 appearances, 4 goals
Gary Doherty will most likely be remembered for his time spent with Norwich City than with Tottenham. But before joining the Canaries, Doherty spent four good years in north London as a defender, before his career was ruined by a broken leg.
Even though the Republic of Ireland international had his best year after the turn of the 2003-04 season, he was never able to consistently replicate his form due to his leg injury.
Next: Number 47...
47. Justin Edinburgh
Position: Left-back
Years Served: 1990-2000
Stats: 181 appearances
Edinburgh was a regular feature of Tottenham teams in the first years of the Premier League. As a left-back he was more traditional than revolutionary, turning in good defensive efforts while being very limited while in possession.
Indeed, over his ten years with the club Edinburgh neither scored a goal or provided a single assist. Still, there’s something to be said for workmanlike defense and durability.
Next: Number 46...
46. Ian Walker
Position: Goalkeeper
Years Served: 1991-2001
Stats: 248 appearances, 330 goals conceded, 67 clean sheets
Tottenham’s early years in the Premier League were erratic. Though never quite threatening to win the title nor slip into relegation, the club jumped up and down the table from year to year. Throughout that time period, players like Edinburgh and Walker proved to be stalwarts. Walker was Tottenham’s first choice goalkeeper through the ’90s and was a stabilizing force even as most of the rest of the team came and went.
Next: Number 45...
45. Benoit Assou-Ekotto
Position: Left-back
Years Served: 2006-2015
Stats: 205 appearances, 4 goals, 10 assists
Benoit Assou-Ekotto struggled to adjust to English football after arriving from Ligue 1. But over time he overcame these obstacles and proved to be one of Tottenham’s best and first-choice left-backs during his time with the club. Knee Injuries would slow his progress down and by February 2015, Assou-Ekotto would be released.
Next: Number 44...
44. Allan Nielsen
Position: Midfielder
Years Served: 1996-2000
Stats: 83 appearances, 11 goals
Even if Tottenham’s form in the ’90s was especially erratic, the undisputed high point came toward the end of the decade. At the conclusion of the 1998/99 season, Tottenham walked away with their fourth League Cup trophy, their first since 1973. Danish midfielder Allan Nielsen played a huge part in that accomplishment, scoring the only goal in his man of the match performance in the final against Leicester City. That alone would be enough to include him on this list, though he also was a reliable contributor in the league as well.
Next: Number 43...
43. Mauricio Taricco
Position: Left-back
Years Served: 1999-2004
Stats: 134 appearances, 2 goals
Mauricio Taricco became George Graham’s first signing as Tottenham manager and the Argentine international would go on to become a regular in the first team. At just over 130-plus appearances, Taricco would have a respectable five-year career with Spurs. Unfortunately his time with Tottenham ended as new manager Jacques Santini and Taricco didn’t see eye-to-eye, and he eventually transferred to West Ham United.
Next: Number 42...
42. Gary Mabbutt
Position: Center-back
Years Served: 1982-1998
Stats: 138 Premier League appearances, 2 goals scored, 8 yellow cards
Longtime Tottenham fans might remember Mabbutt more for his exploits through the 1980s, particular his efforts at helping the club win the UEFA Cup in 1984. In all, Mabbutt logged almost 500 appearances for the club in all competitions, though only 138 happened after the Premier League was created. Even well into his 30s, he remained among Tottenham’s most reliable defenders in those early days of the new competition.
Next: Number 41...
41. Chris Armstrong
Position: Striker
Years Served: 1995-2001
Stats: 144 appearances, 48 goals
One of a slew of talented strikers that came and went through Tottenham in the mid to late ’90s, Armstrong was often drowned out by the more popular and prolific scorers around him. Perhaps part of his lackluster reputation owes itself to the fact that he was Tottenham’s most expensive signing ever – at least until Les Ferdinand was signed two years later. We can look at the club’s recent history to see how well that kind of pressure registers on Spurs’ players. Still, his impact at the club was still significant and often his goals proved decisive.
Next: Number 40...
40. Emmanuel Adebayor
Position: Striker
Years Served: 2011-2015
Stats: 113 appearances, 42 goals, 10 assists
Emmanuel Adebayor was great for a couple of seasons and then quickly tailed off due to managerial changes and some wacky off-the-pitch shenanigans in his personal life. While he will mostly be remembered for a bizarre transfer saga near his final days as a member of Tottenham this past summer. If you can remember the good times, you’ll find a solid £5 million investment with the help of Manchester City subsidizing his wages, and being a proven goalscorer for Spurs.
Next: Number 39...
39. Gylfi Sigurðsson
Position: Attacking midfielder
Years Served: 2012-2014
Stats: 83 appearances, 13 goals, 9 assists
A two-year stay with Tottenham, didn’t exactly produce great statistical numbers. But Gylfi Sigurðsson was solid enough for André Villas-Boas and for Tottenham as well. In order to help make a name for yourself, it’s best to help Spurs win against their London rivals right? Well, Sigurðsson happened to be involved in three London derbies and helped Tottenham get three positive results, against Arsenal, Chelsea and West Ham United, making him somewhat of a small cult hero at White Hart Lane.
Next: Number 38...
38. Gus Poyet
Position: Attacking midfielder
Years Served: 2001-2004
Stats: 83 appearances, 18 goals, 2 assists
Thirty-one when he joined Tottenham, Poyet understandably didn’t quite turn in the production he managed during his previous four years at Chelsea. Though he managed 14 goals in his opening season, the remainder of his time with the club was often mired with injuries. Still, he was the type of player Tottenham needed at the turn of the century to help boost them back into regular contention in the Premier League.
Next: Number 37...
37. Erik Thorstvedt
Position: Goalkeeper
Years Served: 1989-1996
Stats: 60 appearances, 76 goals conceded, 17 clean sheets
Throughout Tottenham’s club history, they have had plenty of good to great goalkeepers stand between their posts. Erik Thorstvedt is one of their great ‘keepers and has made well over 200-plus appearances for the club. But in the Premier League only, the Norwegian international managed 60 appearances before retiring due to a back injury.
Next: Number 36...
36. Paul Robinson
Position: Goalkeeper
Years Served: 2004-2008
Stats: 172 appearances, 211 goals conceded, 50 clean sheets, 1 goal
Robinson is included in that small number of Tottenham players who helped define the era of the club in the years they played. Over four seasons with the club Robinson was the clear-cut number one, serving Tottenham regularly in all competitions. He’s also one of the few Premier League ‘keepers with a goal to his credit, having scored against Watford from a long punt upfield in March of 2007.
Next: Number 35...
35. Nick Barmby
Position: Wide midfielder
Years Served: 1992-1995
Stats: 87 appearances, 20 goals
A product of Tottenham’s youth academy, Barmby came into the side just as the club entered the inaugural season of the Premier League. He became a regular starter almost immediately, teaming up with several other players on this list to form one of Tottenham’s most potent attacks ever. His success at the club was too good, however, as a spend-happy Middlesbrough came calling with a record-breaking offer of over £5 million for Barmby in 1995. The England international would never quite reach the levels he did in those first few years at Tottenham, however.
Next: Number 34...
34. Tom Huddlestone
Position: Central midfielder
Years Served: 2005-2013
Stats: 209 appearances, 16 goals, 31 assists
During his first few seasons, Tom Huddlestone established himself as one of the most promising young central midfielders in England at the time. Near the end of the 2006-07 season, Tottenham manager Martin Jol said that Huddlestone reminded him of German legend Franz Beckenbauer due to his playmaking abilities, versatility and shot power. But during the 2011-12 term, after falling out of favor with the team and struggling with injuries, Tom Huddlestone would eventually be sold to Hull City.
Next: Number 33...
33. Michael Carrick
Position: Midfielder
Years Served: 2004-2006
Stats: 71 appearances, 2 goals, 3 assists
Though he’s rightly remembered more now as a Manchester United legend, Carrick graced White Hart Lane with his fine play from deep in central midfield for two seasons prior to his £18 million pound move. It’s hard to imagine how Tottenham might be different had Carrick stayed, but it certainly would have helped address the club’s rolling problems with finding quality in midfield. As it stands, however, Carrick serves as perhaps the first example people jump to when they describe Tottenham as a selling club.
Next: Number 32...
32. Peter Crouch
Position: Striker
Years Served: 2009-2011
Stats: 94 appearances, 24 goals, 21 assists
Does Peter Crouch deserve such a high ranking even though his most memorable moment was getting Tottenham into the Champions League? Well, the fact that, that happens to be the first thing you might have thought of as a Tottenham fan when you mention the name Peter Crouch. Then why yes, he deserves this spot for the sole reason that he helped bring Champions League football to White Hart Lane for the first time in the club’s history. That alone, in today’s age of football where the Champions League means more than the Premier League title makes Peter Crouch deserved of this spot.
Next: Number 31...
31. Steffen Freund
Position: Defensive midfielder
Years Served: 1998-2003
Stats: 106 appearances, 1 goal
Though he’s perhaps more remembered today for his frenetic touchline antics as a member of André Villas-Boas’ coaching staff, there was a time when Freund had a much more ignoble reputation. Despite turning in over 100 quality performances at the base of Tottenham’s midfield, his chronic inability to score left him the target of some half-serious criticism throughout his tenure with the club. Still, there’s no doubting the German’s commitment to the club then or now.
Next: Number 30...
30. Danny Rose
Position: Left-back
Years Served: 2007-present
Stats: 107 appearances, 7 goals, 15 assists
Danny Rose was originally going to be a winger until he was played out of position by Harry Redknapp. Redknapp’s excuse was Rose would have to play left-back for Tottenham if he wanted to be a top player in the Premier League.
Now, although that didn’t happen right away as Danny Rose went out on numerous loans. Since returning from his loan spells and recovering from a foot injury ahead of the 2014-15 season, Rose has finally settled in as Tottenham’s starting left-back.
Next: Number 29...
29. Brad Friedel
Position: Goalkeeper
Years Served: 2011-2015
Stats: 67 appearances, 79 goals conceded, 19 clean sheets
Although Brad Friedel was 40-years-old when he signed with Tottenham. His diminishing form was very much welcomed to the club after fans were forced to watch Heurelho Gomes commit errors, on what seemed like a consistent basis. A supposed saviour-type of signing, Friedel became much more than that.
The United States international helped bridge the gap of Gomes’ horrendous play to the club’s future goalkeeper in Hugo Lloris. Nowadays, Brad Friedel is acting as one of Tottenham’s club ambassadors in the United States.
Next: Number 28...
28. Steffan Iversen
Position: Striker
Years Served: 1996-2003
Stats: 144 appearances, 36 goals
Tottenham have had a number of good-but-not-quite-great strikers over the years, though Iversen falls closer to the latter description. He was the club’s top scorer in 98/99 and 99/00 and notched the assist for Allan Nielsen’s League Cup winning goal along the way. The Norwegian might not be remembered as fondly as other strikers higher on this list, but there’s no denying his potency.
Next: Number 27...
27. Simon Davies
Position: Right midfielder
Years Served: 2000-2005
Stats: 124 appearances, 13 goals, 1 assist
Davies arguably made a bigger name for himself at Fulham than he did at Tottenham, but he still formed a vital part of the team in the early years of the 20th century. Injuries hurt his consistency with the team, but Tottenham were undoubtedly a better team when he was on the pitch. His role in north London was more direct than it ended up being at Fulham, and it would have no place in the modern game. When English clubs were still obsessed with playing 4-4-2, Davies played his position in right midfield with the precision and quality required.
Next: Number 26...
26. Lee Young-pyo
Position: Left-back
Years Served: 2005-2008
Stats: 91 appearances
At the time of signing Lee Young-pyo, manager Martin Jol proclaimed the South Korean international as the best left-back in Holland after playing for PSV Eindhoven for two seasons. Upon his arrival to north London, Lee became an immediate hit with the team and supporters alike.
Lee Young-pyo was a part of a Tottenham defense which had only conceded the fourth lowest goals during the 2005-06 season. Knee injuries would officially end his time with Tottenham, but for a three-year spell with the Lilywhites, Lee was a good signing.
Next: Number 25...
25. Harry Kane
Position: Striker
Years Served: 2010-present
Stats: 101 appearances, 49 goals, 9 assists
A player that no one saw coming last November was Harry Kane. A then-21-year-old would be making his return to the first team after making some appearances at the end of the 2013-14 season when Tim Sherwood was still the manager. In half a season, Kane was able to produce one of Tottenham’s best goal scoring seasons since Teddy Sheringham.
That statistic alone helped the England striker become famous throughout the world and especially at White Hart Lane, as one of the best young strikers there is today. There’s no denying that Harry Kane’s career will only continue to get better and better. His inclusion on this list shouldn’t have come as surprise, because it was to be expected.
Next: Number 24...
24. Stephen Carr
Position: Right-back
Years Served: 1993-2004
Stats: 233 appearances, 7 goals
There are few players on this list or elsewhere that could justifiably be said to transcend eras. Carr is one such player, having joined Tottenham in 1993 and stayed on through the turbulent ’90s to eventually help form the modern team up until his departure in 2004. The English game was just beginning to evolve and take on an international flair, yet Carr remained a consistent part of Tottenham through the beginnings of that transformation, and continued to do so with Newcastle and Birmingham after he left Spurs.
Next: Number 23...
23. Younès Kaboul (second stint)
Position: Center-back
Years Served (second stint): 2010-2015
Stats: 141 appearances 8 goals, 5 assists
Two stints, two times he was a fan favourite at the club. Younès Kaboul may have lost his form and eventually the trust of Mauricio Pochettino during his final two years with the club. But before that, Kaboul’s second spell with the Lilywhites saw the Frenchman become a force at central defense. Just like he was in his first spell: powerful and aggressive. Although a late developer, when Younès Kaboul returned to Spurs he was able to help Tottenham reach the Champions League when his deflected cross was headed in by Peter Crouch.
Next: Number 22...
22. Jan Vertonghen
Position: Center-back
Years Served: 2012-present
Stats: 151 appearances, 9 goals, 4 assists
Following in a line of good to great center-backs in the past decades of Tottenham history, Jan Vertonghen is quickly establishing himself as one of the club’s best central defenders after arriving to the club on July 12, 2012. It’ll be a while before he’s able to join in the conversation of Tottenham’s last two great center-backs, Ledley King and Michael Dawson. But if the Belgian international’s form continues to improve, Vertonghen could reach just a fraction of their production at the very least before all is said and done.
Next: Number 21...
21. Christian Ziege
Position: Left-back
Years Served: 2001-2004
Stats: 48 appearances, 8 goals, 3 assists, 12 yellow cards, 2 red cards
Tottenham hasn’t always fielded stand out left-backs, the current team’s Danny Rose and Ben Davies being two notable exceptions. There was a time, though, back at the beginning of the century, where the club could make a case that Ziege was the best in the league. He wasn’t necessary the all-in-one style full-back so many teams shoot for these days, but he was an exceptional dead ball player. Five goals in a season – as Ziege managed in his first year with the club – is pretty outstanding for a left-back.
Next: Number 20...
20. Kyle Walker
Position: Right-back
Years Served: 2009-present
Stats: 173 appearances, 4 goals, 13 assists
It took Kyle Walker a while to fully establish himself as a regular first-team starter on Harry Redknapp’s squad after going out on three loan spells. But once Walker was able to prove himself, he never looked back. Winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award over players like Sergio Agüero, Danny Welbeck, Daniel Sturridge, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Gareth Bale during the 2011-12 season obviously shows how good Kyle Walker became when given a chance. Recent injuries the past couple of years have slowed him down but during the 2015-16 season, the England internationial has returned to the form that made him of the best right-backs in the country.
Next: Number 19...
19. Les Ferdinand
Position: Striker
Years Served: 1997-2003
Stats: 119 appearances, 34 goals, 1 assist
Ferdinand was admittedly much more prolific with Queens Park Rangers and Newcastle, though his time with Tottenham was far from a waste. Blighted by injury, his first season still managed to become something of a success after a late surge with striking partner Jürgen Klinsmann that saved more than few blushes at Tottenham. He later proved to be a key component of the club’s successful League Cup campaign and runs for other non-title trophies in the early ’00s.
Next: Number 18...
18. Jermaine Jenas
Position: Central midfielder
Years Served: 2005-2013
Stats: 200 appearances, 26 goals, 22 assists
Another solid player for Tottenham during his stay at north London was Jermaine Jenas. Rumors of him feeling unhappy while a member of Newcastle United eventually led the England international to be sold to Tottenham on transfer deadline day. With a managerial change and Juande Ramos taking over, Jenas’ form improved greatly due in part to a different coaching regime and generally getting words of encouragement from the Spanish manager. For nearly 10 years, Jermaine Jenas made 200 appearances and provided some good performances with Tottenham before moving on to two different loan spells and then joining Queens Park Rangers.
Next: Number 17...
17. Darren Anderton
Position: Right winger
Years Served: 1992-2004
Stats: 298 appearances, 35 goals, 2 assists
Though he never scored more than six goals in a season, Anderton’s influence at Tottenham seemed of far greater weight. His especially long tenure at the club is rare for a winger, particularly one injured as often as Anderton. Few rated him especially high over that time, though when healthy he was ever-present on the pitch up and down the right flank of Tottenham’s attack.
He might not make many Premier League best lists, but he’ll always hold a special place in the hearts of Tottenham fans who watched him play through the ’90s and early ’00s.
Next: Number 16...
16. Sol Campbell
Position: Center-back
Years Served: 1992-2001
Stats: 258 appearances, 10 goals, 1 assist, 16 yellow cards, 1 red card
Tottenham fans of a certain age likely resent Campbell’s inclusion on this list at all, much less this high. The England center-back spent nine seasons playing some fine defense for Tottenham before signing – on a free transfer – with Arsenal. Needless to say, this is just about the highest treason that any Tottenham player can commit, at least in the eyes of the fans.
In the interest of objectivity, however, he’s included here in acknowledgement of his considerable contributions to Tottenham. However it might have ended, there’s no use denying how well it went while he was at White Hart Lane.
Next: Number 15...
15. Scott Parker
Position: Central midfielder
Years Served: 2011-2013
Stats: 63 appearances, 6 assists
If there was a coup of a signing for a veteran player, then Scott Parker was your kind of guy. Even as a a central midfielder, Pakrer wasn’t going to score goals for Tottenham. That wasn’t his role. He left that for other players instead because his job was to constantly stop oncoming attacks and disposess opponents before setting a counterattack in motion. It was hard to not watch Scott Parker playing since he was involved in a majority of the game for the full 90 minutes.
Next: Number 14...
14. Michael Dawson
Position: Center-back
Years Served: 2005-2014
Stats: 324 appearances, 10 goals, 6 assists
When Dawson was sold to Hull City in 2014, it felt somehow that Tottenham were disrespecting a legend. While Dawson had never quite been the face of the franchise as his partner in defense Ledley King proved to be, he was among the most dependable and adaptable center-backs the club has ever had. We’ve talked about other players on this list transcending eras. Dawson transcended multiple eras, multiple styles and multiple managers, thriving amidst and under each of them right up to the end. It was that ability to change and update his game that kept him around, though in the end it could not spare him from the wholesale, youth-oriented overhaul of Mauricio Pochettino.
Next: Number 13...
13. Dimitar Berbatov
Position: Striker
Years Served: 2006-2008
Stats: 101 apps, 46 goals, 24 assists
Despite wearing a Spurs shirt for two seasons only, Dimitar Berbatov enjoyed a solid two-year run in north London. As a striker or a deep-lying forward, Berbatov always knew what to do before receiving a pass. Being one step ahead and intelligent with the ball, he never hurried when in front of net and took his time to ensure that he made the best possible move.
However, when Sir Alex Fergurson and Manchester United came calling, Berbatov would soon trade Lilywhite for Devil Red.
Next: Number 12...
12. Rafael van der Vaart
Position: Attacking midfielder
Years Served: 2010-2012
Stats: 77 appearances, 28 goals, 10 assists
Rafael van der Vaart’s time with Tottenham was too short considering what he had accomplished in just two years. As a part of Spurs’ Champions League team, the Dutch international provided countless memories during his first season: a brace against Arsenal at White Hart Lane and a 25-yard volley against Liverpool to help Spurs qualify for the Europa League.
The only downfall for van der Vaart was a glut of new midfield players coming in, in the form of Mousa Dembélé and Gylfi Sigurðsson plus striker Clint Dempsey. Thus it made a fan favorite surplus to requirements.
Next: Number 11...
11. Christian Eriksen
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Years Served: 2013-present
Stats: 104 appearances, 25 goals, 25 assists
Christian Eriksen has been a great Tottenham player since joining the club in the summer of 2013. His numbers might not suggest it, but to help carry a Tottenham team that lacked a go-to player after the departure of Gareth Bale, it’s hard to argue with Eriksen, who has meant so much to Spurs since he’s worn Lilywhite.
A creative playmaker in the number 10 role or left midfield, who also happens to be a free-kick specialist, Christian Eriksen has had moments of pure brilliance to equalize a game or out-right win them during his stay in north London.
Next: Number 10...
10. Jürgen Klinsmann
Position: Striker
Years Served: 1994-95, 1997-98
Stats: 56 appearances, 29 goals
However short lived it might have been, Klinsmann’s career with Tottenham was monumental. He was a star prior to moving to the club and indeed was well known in England, though not for the most favorable reasons. His affiliation with the German national team combined with his reputation as a diver helped sour his first appearances with the club.
But just as soon as he started scoring however, most of that resentment began to dry up. Twenty goals in his first season with the club earned him the Football Writer’s Player of the Year award, as well as Tottenham’s internal player of the year award. He was a talismanic character, the likes of which Tottenham wouldn’t see again for quite some time.
Next: Number 9...
9. David Ginola
Position: Left winger
Years Served: 1997-2000
Stats: 103 appearances, 13 goals, 2 assists
Sometimes the numbers don’t tell the whole story. For an attacker, Ginola never scored a lot of goals. His workrate was beyond question, though, and he was always the player your eyes fixated on when watching a Tottenham game. He was flamboyant. He took risks.
What relatively few goals he scored were always beautiful, the capping points of weaving dribbles or some clever one-two with another Spurs player. In a fairer world, one where his frequently splendid play resulted in more production, Ginola’s would be much higher on this list.
Next: Number 8...
8. Jermain Defoe (first stint)
Position: Striker
Years Served (first stint): 2004-08
Stats: 139 appearances, 43 goals, 6 assists
Defoe was one of a few players – curiously all strikers – who began the century at Tottenham, left for other clubs but eventually found themselves back in north London. The English striker’s first stint at the club was precocious, if not especially prolific.
David Pleat, manager of the club when Defoe signed from West Ham, had especially high hopes for the pacey and versatile striker. He repaid the confidence shown in him with goals and loyalty. His second stint with the club was, if anything, more prolific than the first.
Next: Number 7...
7. Aaron Lennon
Position: Right winger
Years Served: 2005-2015
Stats: 364 appearances, 30 goals, 77 assists
Aaron Lennon had been the longest serving member of Tottenham during the Premier League era which ended after transferring to Everton this past summer. Lennon may have not scored that many goals over his 10-year career, but watching him play was surely a blast. One of the club’s fatest players of his time.
To see him use his pace and completely outrun his defender for a well-timed assist or goal will be missed as Tottenham still lack a player with Lennon’s pace to completely change a game.
Next: Number 6...
6. Hugo Lloris
Position: Goalkeeper
Years Served: 2012-present
Stats: 145 appearances, 166 goals conceded, 50 clean sheets
After transfering from Olympique Lyon in August 2012 to join Spurs, Lloris has quickly established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League and in the world. Last season, Lloris had a merry-go-round of sorts, at central defense with Jan Vertonghen having three to four different partners play next to him.
Despite the constant changes going on, Hugo Lloris was able to save enough games to help push Tottenham into fifth place and qualify for the Europa League once again. This is a testament to how good Lloris is, and he’s only 29-years-old.
Next: Number 5...
5. Robbie Keane (first stint)
Position: Striker
Years Served: 2002-2008
Stats: 239 appearances, 102 goals
Keane was 22 when he joined Tottenham and had already been through four different clubs with varying degrees of success. Something switched on at Tottenham though, and Keane provided an instant lift to the club just as Teddy Sheringham’s second stint with the club was winding down. Even as Tottenham flirted with relegation and other players like Jermain Defoe threatened his hold in the starting XI, Keane consistently put up exceptional numbers.
In the six seasons of his first stint with the club, he never scored less than 13 goals and even managed 23 in his final season before joining Liverpool. He was a devilishly good striker precisely when Tottennham needed exactly such a player.
Next: Number 4...
4. Luka Modrić
Position: Central midfielder
Years Served: 2008-2012
Stats: 160 appearances, 17 goals, 27 assists
A central midfielder who possessed all the tools to make him one of the best in the world: great vision, good passing ability, short or long distances, use of both feet and great positioning off the ball. When Luka Modrić joined Tottenham he would become even more versatile. Harry Redknapp deployed the Croatian as a defensive midfielder who still possessed the natural abilities of an offensive playmaker.
Four years with Tottenham was too short of a career but Modrić helped Spurs become a good club to join at a young age and have some of your best years while wearing Lilywhite.
Next: Number 3...
3. Gareth Bale
Position: Left Winger
Years Served: 2007-2013
Stats: 203 appearances, 56 goals, 58 assists
Gareth Bale may have not won any titles while with Tottenham, but he certainly did win the hearts of many White Hart Lane supporters every single night after transforming from a good left-back into a deadly scoring left winger. Being able to help carry Tottenham on his back throughout his final seasons, including the club’s quarter-finals run in the Champions League, was amazing to say the least. Gareth Bale is certainly one of Tottenham’s best players of all-time.
Next: Number 2...
2. Teddy Sheringham
Position: Striker
Years Served: 1992-1997, 2001-2003
Stats: 237 appearances, 98 goals
Sheringham announced his intentions with Tottenham in his first season with the club – also the first season of the Premier League – when he scored 22 goals to earn the new league’s first top scorer award. He followed that first season up with three more double digit scoring figures, making him one of the most crucial parts of Tottenham’s attack in the ’90s.
He left for Manchester United before the century was out, but as with all great sons of the club, returned for two more seasons, again turning in double-digit scoring seasons. Sheringham occupied the same pitch with a good chunk of the names on this list, but stands out for his consistency and lethal right foot.
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1. Ledley King
Position: Center-back
Years Served: 1999-2012
Stats: 297 appearances, 11 goals, 2 assists, 9 yellow cards
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What more could we possibly say about Ledley King? He was a product of Tottenham’s youth academy, joined the first team at 18-years-old and only left when he didn’t have any knees left to play on. Even with his famous battles with recurring injuries, King still managed to make a lasting impression amongst both Spurs fans and otherwise.
Toward the end, when his knees got particularly bad, he stopped training outright, and the only football he would play would come during the actual matches. He was still one of the better players on the pitch.