If not for his bouncebackability, Lucas Paquetá would not be the player he is today: a senior member of the Brazilian national team and the flashiest signing in West Ham's history. The 25-year-old arrives in East London following a £36.5 million transfer from Olympique Lyonnais, which could rise to just under £50 million if he triggers performance clauses included in the deal.

Lucas Paquetá, who inked a five-year deal at the London Stadium, has been through more than most en route to West Ham.  He starred in Flamengo's Gavea academy until his mid-teens, dazzling his coaches with a rare combination of showmanship and wisdom.

However, the 1997-born midfielder could only outrun his lack of physicality for so long. Paquetá was an undersized 16-year-old and fell behind his peers in Flamengo's youth ranks as a result. Naturally, he bounced back by leading the club's under-17s to the São Paolo state championship and adding almost a foot to his frame.   

By the time Paquetá's senior debut in red and black arrived, concerns regarding his size had vanished. Instead, his intricate ball control and eye for the spectacular dominated the discussion and transformed him into a favourite of Flamengo's fanatical fans.

He also attracted plenty of attention from Europe's big five leagues, setting the wheels in motion for a €35 million (£29 million) transfer to AC Milan in January 2019.  But it did not work out for Paquetá with the Rossoneri.

Still in his early 20s, the Brazilian ran into astronomical expectations in Milan and was billed as the player who would restore the club's elite status. 

The Real Deal:

With West Ham able to complete the deal for Paqueta, the potential impact he could have should be a possibility that excited Hammers worldwide

The Brazilian is coming off the back of a fantastic season for Lyon, scoring 11 goals and providing seven assists in 44 games for the Ligue 1 outfit.

He excels playing just behind the striker and can be effective in tight spaces using his close ball control to regularly get out of difficult situations.

What makes Paqueta stand out from many other attacking midfielders is his unbelievable flair, a trait that has become his trademark in recent years.

His repertoire of audacious skills knows no bounds, and if West Ham manages to land the playmaker, Hammers fans should be prepared to see a flurry of trick, flicks and nutmegs on a regular basis.

Paqueta is a player that would lift the whole club and importantly could get the best out of his attacking peers with his creativity and eye for a pass.

Read More: https://sportzpoint.com/football/antony-what-will-the-brazilian-dynamic-winger-bring-to-erik-ten-hags-man-utd/

Where Will Lucas Paquetá Feature For West Ham?

Paquetá is a left-footed, offensively minded midfielder who is comfortable in numerous roles and positions. He has amassed 19,915 minutes of professional experience, mainly in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3. While the one-time Copa América champion is competent as a forward or in the wide areas, he is at his best when deployed behind the striker or as a right central midfielder.

Although the Hammers experimented with a five-player defence in their recent win over Aston Villa, David Moyes is expected to return to his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation with Paquetá replacing Tomáš Souček as Declan Rice's primary pivot partner.

If utilised correctly, the 25-year-old will extend West Ham's window of continental success and burnish his credentials as one of the top midfielders in world football. Yes, he is that talented.

What Are Lucas Paquetá's Best Attributes?

Paquetá is a high event midfielder who excels at multiple tasks. The Brazilian always makes himself while his team is in possession, acting as a pressure valve when deployed as part of a double pivot. 

It is therefore easy to see why scouts at West Ham fell in love with him, not least because he significantly improves the team's press resistance.

He is a confident ball-player in all areas of the field but is especially effective at circulating possession and circumventing the press.

While the six-foot connector is also an asset in the final third, he carries the most threat during the offensive transition, finding teammates with perfectly weighted through balls.

Paquetá produced offence at an impressive rate in 2021-22, contributing 13 goals and seven assists through 4,305 minutes of play for club and country. Furthermore, his impact in possession stands out in advanced statistics provided by Wyscout. He completed 81.5 percent of his 46.22 passes per 90 last season, including the lion's share of his distributions into the final third. 

He used every ounce of his spatial awareness in a 2-0 win over AS Monaco a month earlier, threading a delicate pass into the penalty area to force the concession of a penalty kick.

Although the Brazilian is expected to occupy a deeper role with West Ham, his composure when receiving the ball under pressure bodes well for the Hammers.

Paquetá is also capable of making an impact off the dribble and completed 55.3 percent of his 4.72 attempts per 90 last season.

He bamboozled Nantes in the final match of 2021-22, turning on the head of a pin in central midfield before creating a high-danger scoring chance with an accurate pass into the final third:

Also of note: the former AC Milan midfielder knows where the net is. He is a confident finisher, unafraid of stroking the ball into the bottom corner – as exemplified by his match-winner versus FC Porto in March:

Paquetá's all-action style is evident in his defensive exploits, too. The 33-cap Brazil international defends more aggressively than most players of his mould, especially when instructed to mark opponents in the wide areas.

In his 2,159 minutes as a central midfielder in 2021-22, Paquetá made 65 interceptions and won 59.4 percent of his 197 defensive duels. He also notched a remarkable 140 ball recoveries, including 68 in the attacking half.  

He promises to be an excellent partner for Declan Rice in midfield.

How Can Lucas Paquetá Improve Further?

While the Brazilian ticks plenty of boxes, he – like every player in the history of the sport – is not perfect.  Paquetá is reluctant to run beyond the defensive when deployed as a No. 10, making his final third movement somewhat predictable.

This feature of the 25-year-old's style is reinforced by his desire to receive passes into his feet, which can cause him to become isolated if he is marked tightly. He is also ineffective in aerial duels, winning only 39.8 percent of his contests last season.

However, the Hammers do not have a shortage of players willing to attack lofted balls, with Paquetá unlikely to be the target of crosses into the box or asked to play a major role in defending set-pieces.

In Lyon, Rudi Garcia accused the Brazilian of lacking killing instinct due to his preference for playing short, simple passes. However, there is something to be said about Paquetá's disciplined restraint and ability to make safe decisions in possession, especially as he provided more than nine expected assists in his final season in France. 

In fact, the one-time Campeonato Carioca champion's worst feature is his inconsistency.

"He has the talent to be one of the top players," Emerson Palmieri, a teammate of Paquetá in Lyon, told The Athletic earlier this summer. "He's still young and I believe we have to have patience with him because sometimes youngsters have ups and downs.

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In a groundbreaking moment for Indian football, Rahul KP, the dynamic winger of Odisha FC, has been extended a prestigious invitation to represent English Premier League powerhouse West Ham United in the highly anticipated summer edition of The Soccer Tournament (TST), an elite 7 v 7 football competition featuring 48 teams from across the globe.

This is the first time in Indian football history that an Indian player will represent a top-division English Premier League club men’s team. This is a monumental achievement not only for Rahul's burgeoning career and Odisha FC but also for the continued growth and recognition of the state of Odisha and Indian football on the international stage.

The tournament is scheduled to take place from June 4 to June 9, 2025, in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. The tournament boasts a diverse international roster, with participating teams and players hailing from countries including the United Kingdom, Spain, Switzerland, Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, and India. The star-studded event will notably feature teams led by legendary footballers such as Luis Nani, Sergio Agüero, and Hope Solo.

Rahul KP will join a distinguished West Ham United squad that includes notable personalities like actor Hero Fiennes Tiffin, former Argentina international Mauro Zárate, and several professional athletes who have represented the United States in the World Indoor Football Cup.

The three group stage games featuring West Ham United will be broadcast live on YouTube channels. Additionally, these matches will be televised live on ESPN.

With their 20th top-flight title, Liverpool FC have now equalled Manchester United for the record of most English top flight titles. Through the eras of English football, Manchester United and Liverpool FC have made themselves one of the most successful clubs in the league's history. 

Founded in 1888, the English Football League started as the Football League, the oldest football league in the world. In 1892, the Football League First Division kicked off and continued till 1991 as the top flight football league in England.

Later, in 1992, the Premier League was created and replaced the Football League First Division as the top flight football league in England.

In this article, we will discuss all the teams with the most titles in England's top flight football. Till now, 24 clubs have been able to lift the top flight title.

10. Sheffield United, West Bromwich Albion, Ipswich Town, Nottingham Forest, Leicester City | 1 title

Sheffield United, West Bromwich Albion, Ipswich Town, Nottingham Forest and Leicester City have been crowned the champions of English football once. Sheffield United won the league in 1897–98, the tenth season of the Football League First Division. Since then, they have roamed between the first division and second division leagues. 

West Bromwich Albion won the league in 1919–20, right after the First World War. Ipswich Town won the competition in 1961–62, while Nottingham Forest won in 1977–78. 

Leicester City are the only team to win the league in the Premier League when they lifted the Premier League in a miraculous 2015–16 season. 

9. Preston North End, Burnley, Portsmouth, Tottenham Hotspur, Derby County | 2 titles

Preston North End, the first ever champion of the Football League, won the title in back-to-back seasons. This made them the first ever team to win a football league and also defend it. They won the league in the 1888–89 and 1889–90 seasons. Preston now plays in the EFL Championship. 

Burnley, who recently got promoted to the Premier League this season, won the league twice in the 1920–21 and 1959–60 seasons. Portsmouth won the title first time in the 1948-49 season and then defended the crown in the next season as well. 

Spurs, one of the big six of English football, won the league in the 1950–51, 1960–61 seasons. Since then, they have not been able to win the league again. Derby County won the title in the 1971–72 and 1974–75 seasons.

8. Blackburn Rovers, Huddersfield Town, Wolves, Leeds United | 3 titles

Blackburn Rovers, one of the founding members of the Football League, won the league twice in the 1911–12 and 1913–14 seasons. Then, they were crowned the Premier League champions in 1994–95, when Alan Shearer brought them to glory with 34 goals. But in the next season, they were relegated to the second division. 

Huddersfield Town were one of the stronger teams in English football, winning the First Division in three back-to-back seasons in 1923–24, 1924–25 and 1925–26. But, after many promotions and relegations, they now play in the third division in England.

Wolves, who are now competing in the Premier League, won the first-division title in the 1953–54, 1957–58, and 1958–59 seasons. 

Leeds United, who also won promotion to the Premier League, won the first division in 1968–69, 1973–74, and 1991–92 seasons. They were the last champions of the Football League First Division before the Premier League took over.

Read Also | Leeds United and Burnley secure promotion to the Premier League - Latest football news

7. Sheffield Wednesday, Newcastle United | 4 titles

Sheffield Wednesday, the second-oldest professional association football club in England, have won the league four times and are one of the most successful clubs in English football. They won the league in the 1902–03, 1903–04, 1928–29, and 1929–30 seasons. 

Newcastle United, one of the biggest names in English football, have spent 93 years in the top tier of English football. They and Sheffield Wednesday won the league in back-to-back seasons. Newcastle won in 1904–05, 1906–07, 1908–09, 1926–27.

6. Sunderland, Chelsea FC | 6 titles

Newcastle United's arch-rival, Sunderland, are one of the most underrated teams in tournament history. They were also the first winners of the Football League First Division in the 1892 season. Nicknamed Black Cats, they won the First Division titles in 1891–92, 1892–93, 1894–95, 1901–02, 1912–13, 1935–36.

Chelsea, one of the most prominent names in European football. Before the Premier League era started, Chelsea had only won the First Division league once in the 1954–55 season. But, after Roman Abramovich's takeover, Chelsea evolved as one of the strongest teams in the Premeier League. 

In the Premier League era, they won the title in 2004–05, 2005–06, 2009–10, 2014–15, and 2016–17. 

Read Also | Terry, Gerrard, Vieira, Keane and Kompany: Ranking the Greatest Premier League Captains

5. Aston Villa | 7 titles

Although they have not won the league title in the Premier League era, Aston Villa are still one of the most successful clubs in England's top-tier football. In fact, it was  William McGregor, the Aston Villa director, who founded the Football League in 1888, which was the World's First Football League as mentioned earlier.

Not only that, George Ramsay, who was Villa manager in 1886, was the world's first professional football manager.

With 7 titles in 1893–94, 1895–96, 1896–97, 1898–99, 1899–1900, 1909–10, and 1980–81, they still remain one of the oldest clubs to remain in the top-flight football. 

4. Everton | 9 titles

Another club with great history and culture that lost the battle in modern football. Although Everton have stayed in the First Division of Football for more than 122 years now, is one of the three clubs to be a founding member of the Football League and Premier League.

Everton won the First Division titles in 1890–91, 1914–15, 1927–28, 1931–32, 1938–39, 1962–63, 1969–70, 1984–85, and 1986–87 seasons. This makes them the club with the fourth most English Top Flight titles.

3. Manchester City |  10 titles

Manchester City are the second most successful football club in the Premier League era. They have revolutionised modern football after Pep Guardiola took over the manager's role in 2016. 

Since then, they have won 6 Premier League titles, out of which four came in consecutive seasons from 2020 to 2024, which is a record in English top flight football. Before Pep Guardiola, it was Roberto Mancini, who led them to Premier League success in the 2011-12 season, the club's first league title in 45 years. 

Till now, Manchester City have won 10 titles in top-flight English football. Their success came in 1936–37, 1967–68, 2011–12, 2013–14, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, and 2023–24.

Read Also | Most Premier League Titles till 2025

2. Arsenal | 13 titles

One of the most loved and historical clubs in England, Arsenal, comes in the list as the third club with the most English top-flight titles. They were the second most successful club in the top flight before Manchester United went past them in the Premier League era.

From 1931 to 1938, they won the First Division League five times in 8 seasons, which made them one of the most loved and feared clubs in England. In the Premier League era, they won the league three times in 1997–98, 2001–02, and 2003–04.

In the 2003-04 season, they won the Premier League without losing a single game, which is still a record in England's top-flight football. 

Arsenal were crowned the champions of England in 1930–31, 1932–33, 1933–34, 1934–35, 1937–38, 1947–48, 1952–53, 1970–71, 1988–89, 1990–91, 1997–98, 2001–02, 2003–04. 

Read Also | The Invincibles: 8 times a football team won their league undefeated

1. Manchester United, Liverpool FC | 20 titles

After Liverpool FC's success in the Premier League 2024-25, they have now equalled Manchester United's record for most English Top Flight titles with 20 titles. 

Both Liverpool and Manchester United are among the most popular football teams in World football. Liverpool were ahead of Manchester United in terms of top-flight titles, but Manchester United's resurgence under Sir Alex Ferguson left them behind. 

In the Premier League era, Manchester United won the most titles. Their 13 Premier League titles are yet to be matched by any club, although they won the league title last time in the 2012-13 season. 

Meantime, in the Premier League era, Liverpool have only won the league title twice, in the 2019-20 and 2024-25 seasons. 

Manchester United have won the league in 1907–08, 1910–11, 1951–52, 1955–56, 1956–57, 1964–65, 1966–67, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13.

Meantime, Liverpool FC won the league in 1900–01, 1905–06, 1921–22, 1922–23, 1946–47, 1963–64, 1965–66, 1972–73, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1981–82, 1982–83,1983–84, 1985–86, 1987–88, 1989–90, 2019–20, 2024–25.

Premier League, also known as English Premier League, is the top-tier football league in England. This league consists of 20 teams in a league system with a relegation and promotion system to/from the English Championship.

Each team plays 38 matches against every other 19 at home and away. The seasons generally start in August and run till May. This premier league is the most-watched sports league globally and is broadcast in over 200 territories with an average number of viewers of 4.7 billion.

The English Premier League is the most valuable sports league in the world, with a valuation of 4 billion pounds. This league also has a direct effect on the economy of England. Different regions have different clubs with private ownership.

The 2023-24 season came to an end with Manchester City winning their ninth league title. The players need to give their everything for an entire season to win the league, and those players become legends by doing such things. In this article, we'll have a look at the players with the most Premier League titles in the history of the competition.

Read Also: Most goals in Europe's Top Five Leagues in 2023/24 Season

Most Premier League titles as a player (Top Five)

1. Ryan Giggs (Manchester United) | 13 titles

It's a testament to Manchester United's dominance throughout the Premier League's history that every player on this top-five list was one of Sir Alex Ferguson's former stars. Ryan Giggs comes at the top of this list with a record 13 league titles.

The Manchester United legend spent 25 years at the club and made 963 appearances. He was never a star or anything. Giggs was like someone who always gave his everything for the badge. He broke numerous records at Old Trafford, and the fact that he's lifted the Premier League trophy more than anyone else, is what sets him apart from the rest.

2. Paul Scholes (Manchester United) | 11 titles

One of the greatest central midfielders in Premier League and European football history, Paul Scholes tasted so much success at Manchester United. The Englishman spent his entire career at Old Trafford and won a remarkable 11 Premier League titles under Sir Alex Ferguson.

He was a star player and often considered the best midfielder to ever play for Manchester United and in the Premier League. The debate over whether Scholes was better than Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard is still going on to date, but if anyone judges by the numbers, then Scholes is miles ahead.

3. Gary Neville (Manchester United) | 8 titles

Gary Neville spent his entire career as a first-team figure at Old Trafford and won plenty of silverware during that time.

The former England right-back saw the most success domestically, though, winning the Premier League eight times and he was also the skipper on most occasions. Neville is often considered one of the most underrated players to ever play for Manchester United and England.

4. Denis Irwin (Manchester United) | 7 titles

Denis Irwin is another Manchester United great who won numerous silverware, including 7 Premier League titles at the club. Irwin is the joint-most successful Irish footballer in history, a record he shares with fellow Manchester United stalwart Roy Keane, having won 19 trophies in his career.

The left-back appeared in 529 games for the Red Devils and also scored 33 goals. Irwin brought the curtain down on a glittering 12 years against Charlton Athletic at Old Trafford in May 2002. He remains United’s second-most-decorated player, with 13 winners’ medals.

5. Roy Keane (Manchester United) | 7 titles

Interestingly, almost all of Roy Keane and Denis Irwin's success in the league came together, winning six of their seven titles alongside one another.

Sir Alex Ferguson labelled him the best he ever worked with, which speaks volumes. It is enough to consider Roy Keane as one of the greats of Manchester United. The way he led the team from the front, on and off the pitch, and the fact that more than 70k United and Celtic fans paid their tributes to him at his testimonial before he retired in June 2006, says everything.

He played 480 games for the Red Devils in his 12-year stay and won everything, including 7 Premier League titles.

Read Also: 2023-24 Men's Football League Winners of Europe's top five leagues

Most Premier League titles as a player (Top 20)

Leeds United and Burnley have secured promotion to the Premier League for the next season after confirming the top places in the EFL Championship this season on Monday. 

WE ARE PREMIER LEAGUE!!! pic.twitter.com/iyGtdHe8nI

— Leeds United (@LUFC) April 21, 2025

Leeds, who last played in the Premier League in the 2022/23 season, will return to the top flight after beating Stoke City by 6-0. Joel Piroe scored four goals for Daniel Farke's Whites to have a chance to secure the automatic promotion. 

Read Also | 20 Biggest Premier League Wins in History

Piroe is now leading the race for the Championship Golden Boot with 19 goals, two ahead of his next competitor, Norwich City's Borja Sainz.

Burnley beat Sheffield United by 2-1

But Leeds needed Sheffield United to drop points at Turf Moor against Burnley later. Josh Brownhill's first-half brace was enough for Burnley to secure an easy 2-1 win over the Blades as both Clarets and the Whites confirmed their Premier League return. 

Burnley (W19 D11) are now just the second team in Championship history to go 30 consecutive games without losing after Reading (33) between August 2005 and February 2006.

Burnley, who played in the Premier League in the 2023/24 season, will return to the Premier League after a gap of one season. This means that this would be the third time Burnley head coach Scott Parker has secured promotion with a Championship side. Parker had taken Fulham to the Premier League in 2019/20 and AFC Bournemouth in 2021/22.

With Leeds' promotion, the Premier League will see the return of Daniel Farke, who coached Norwich City for 49 games in the top flight in two stints in 2018/19 and 2020/21.

Read Also | 15 most successful football clubs in England

Championship points table with two matches to go

Which other team can get the promotion?

Teams finishing third to sixth in the Championship points table will compete in the playoffs, before the mega final at Wembley Stadium. The winner of the final will finish in third place to earn a promotion to the Premier League alongside Leeds United and Burnley FC.

Manchester United are reportedly preparing for a massive summer signing as they eye the services of star Olympique Lyonnais forward Rayan Cherki.

The Red Devils are interested in strengthening their squad, and they have now joined the race to sign the gifted French under-21 forward, after it was reported that Lyon is willing to sell the player for approximately £20 million.

Read Also | Olympique Lyonnais faces provisional relegation and transfer ban

Manchester United are adamant to turn things around

In a difficult ongoing campaign this season, Manchester United have registered a record low point total in the Premier League, sitting on 38 points.

With only 6 games remaining to play for, the call for new talent has never been greater inside the club. Cherki, widely considered one of the most talented players in the world at this moment, has been identified as a top target for the club's Portuguese manager, Ruben Amorim.

Read Also | Ruben Amorim has handed Manchester United owners his wish-list of three players

The various reports point out Cherki's great talent and his undeniable potential to shape games at the highest level. He has performed marvelously on the field in this season alone, achieving great statistics that would upgrade any team.

Cherki's display has attracted United's scouting department, particularly with the Red Devils' own challenges in creativity and attacking potency.

Cherki draws interest from Red Devils' management

At only the age of 21, Rayan Cherki has already become a familiar name in French and world football, and this season was his coming-out party.

His record of 13 goals from 23 appearances for France's U-21 team says volumes about his talent. Although Manchester United is still keen on signing him, the negotiating table will have to wait until the next summer transfer window, especially after facing Lyon in the Europa League.

By the way, Cherki's last-minute equalizer in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League quarter-final matchup saved Lyon a 2-2 draw at home against United last week.

🇫🇷⭐️ | 𝐑𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐤𝐢 (𝟐𝟏) vs Man United:

1 Goal.
4 Key Passes.
4/7 Successful Take-Ons.
85% Pass Accuracy.
41 Passes Completed.
100% Successful Long Balls.
2/5 Successful Crosses.
6/11 Ground Duels Won.

𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐒. pic.twitter.com/jF3u3ZJKDG

— Rising Stars XI (@RisingStarXI) April 10, 2025

With Cherki catching headlines in Ligue 1, only time will tell how Lyon will deal with a possible transfer. United's desire is obvious, and if properly negotiated, Cherki's signing at Old Trafford may commence a new era for the club's attacking prowess.