The top-scoring midfielders in Premier League history

Who are the highest scoring midfielders in Premier League history? Read here for the Premier League midfielders with the most goals, led by Frank Lampard.

The top-scoring midfielders in Premier League history had to combine productivity with longevity. These players weren’t necessarily the Golden Boot favourites in the Premier League betting, but they were a consistent goal threat, whether through taking set pieces or arriving into the box during open play.

Who are the highest-scoring Premier League midfielders?

Below, we have compiled the 11 highest-scoring midfielders in Premier League history. Each of these players has clocked at least 225 Premier League appearances, though it’s notable that just five are members of the Premier League’s prestigious 100 Club.

Counting down the midfielders with the most Premier League goals

Let’s take a look at each of the highest-scoring midfielders in the Premier League, starting off with a Manchester City and England star.

T-10. Phil Foden, 68 goals

Phil Foden sits right on the border of being considered a midfielder or a forward. Foden has spent a significant share of his Manchester City minutes as a false nine or off the left flank and has been the team’s secondary goal threat since Erling Haaland was signed.

The Mancunian’s best Premier League season from a goalscoring perspective was 2023/2024 when he found the net on 19 occasions.

T-10. Wilfried Zaha, 68 goals

It never worked out for Wilfried Zaha at Manchester United, but a return to Crystal Palace (via a loan spell with Cardiff) saw the tricky Ivorian winger develop a highly successful Premier League career.

Zaha spent the majority of his career playing out wide but had brief forays into the number nine role. Among those 68 goals are many spectacular efforts, including three seasons in double digits.

9. Kevin Nolan, 69 goals

While he’s not one of the best Premier League midfielders ever, Kevin Nolan had a long and successful career in the topflight. Nolan was, however, often among the highest-scoring Premier League midfielders across his time with Bolton, Newcastle, and West Ham.

Probably best remembered for playing off Kevin Davies under Sam Allardyce at Bolton, Nolan had a knack for making runs into the penalty area and thrived off playing behind a towering centre forward.

8. Bruno Fernandes, 71 goals

Bruno Fernandes has scored at least eight league goals in each of his seven Premier League seasons with Manchester United. Often the one bright light in some of United’s dark days, Fernandes has been immensely productive as a scorer and creator since arriving from Sporting.

His goals vary from long-range blockbusters to calmly converted penalties and smart finishes in the box. Fernandes could find himself in the top five of this list if he spends another couple of years at Old Trafford.

7. Kevin De Bruyne, 72 goals

Second for all-time assists, Kevin De Bruyne’s goalscoring exploits are sometimes forgotten about. The Belgian could unleash devastating shots with either foot from anywhere on the pitch.

Creation was always De Bruyne’s most impressive skill, but he was a reliable and timely goalscorer throughout Pep Guardiola’s Etihad reign.

6. Gary Speed, 80 goals

The late Gary Speed was one of the best goalscoring midfielders in the early years of the Premier League. First with Leeds, then with Everton, Newcastle, and Bolton, Speed’s versatility made him a real asset for each of his managers.

Trademark powerful headers are what first comes to mind when thinking about Speed’s career, but he had plenty of other ways to find the net.

5. Matt Le Tissier, 100 goals

A creative and elegant number ten, Matt Le Tissier was an exceptional technician. Despite not possessing much pace, Le Tissier’s tricky footwork often left opponents bamboozled.

His ball-striking remains a joy to watch for anyone that wants to dig out some old Southampton highlights.

4. Paul Scholes, 107 goals

From piledriver strikes from outside the box to well-timed runs to tap in crosses, Paul Scholes did a bit of everything to reach 107 goals. Scholes spent the second half of his career as a deep-lying playmaker, but he was a much more attacking force in his earlier days.

If Scholes had kept playing in an advanced role, there’s a good chance he would’ve broken the 150 mark.

3. Ryan Giggs, 109 goals

Spending the majority of his career stationed on the left wing, Ryan Giggs was never an especially prolific goal scorer.

Giggs always chipped in here and there, though, whether arriving at the back post or running down the channel on a fast break.

2. Steven Gerrard, 120 goals

Steven Gerrard’s long-range screamers are what most will remember about his goalscoring exploits. Gerrard, of course, also benefited from taking plenty of penalties, and had a period where he operated as a number ten.

It was at that stage when he was at his most prolific. Gerrard was often seen running beyond the centre forward in his 16-goal 2008/2009 campaign when he formed a fearsome duo with Fernando Torres.

1. Frank Lampard, 177 goals

In a league of his own as a goalscoring midfielder, Frank Lampard has an extraordinary catalogue of goals. There are delicate chips, title-winning finishes in the box, free-kicks, and the odd header mixed in.

Immense stamina underpinned what made Lampard so effective. He could be helping in a low block and still find a way to support Didier Drogba in the final third a matter of seconds later. His run of ten consecutive seasons with double-digit goals will likely never be beaten by a midfielder.

Which players just miss out on the all-time top 10?

Gylfi Sigurdsson (67 goals), David Beckham, Yaya Toure, and Robert Pires (all 62 goals) are the closest midfielders to making this list. David Silva, one of the best Premier League players ever, is also not too far off on 60 career goals.

Australian winger Harry Kewell is another who isn’t a million miles away from the top ten with 57 goals – the same tally as all-action midfielder Lee Bowyer and set-piece specialist James Ward-Prowse. Tim Cahill, who was often one of the top goalscoring Premier League midfielders during his prime, is only one goal behind that trio.