Italian footballers have undoubtedly left a significant mark on the English Premier League. While the league has historically been dominated by English players and stars from across Europe and South America, numerous Italians have provided unforgettable moments, iconic goals, and achieved cult-hero status.
Leading this distinguished list is the talented and unconventional forward Paolo Di Canio, whose unique style, blending spectacular play, moments of controversy, and decisive finishing, allowed him to become the highest-scoring Italian in Premier League history.
Below, we take a closer look at the leading Italian goal scorers in the competition and analyze how their achievements reflect Italy’s influence on English football.
- Paolo Di Canio – 66 Goals (190 Appearances)
- Gianfranco Zola – 59 Goals (229 Appearances)
- Benito Carbone – 35 Goals (177 Appearances)
- Fabrizio Ravanelli – 25 Goals (64 Appearances)
- Graziano Pellè – 23 Goals (68 Appearances)
- Players with 21 Premier League Goals
- Jorginho – 21 Goals (196 Appearances)
- Mario Balotelli – 21 Goals (70 Appearances)
- Gianluca Vialli – 21 Goals (58 Appearances)
- Other Notable Italian Premier League Scorers
- Why Italians Rarely Top the Scoring Charts
- A Record That Still Stands
Paolo Di Canio – 66 Goals (190 Appearances)
- Clubs: Sheffield Wednesday, West Ham United
- Premier League goals: 66
- Premier League appearances: 190
Di Canio remains the most prolific Italian scorer in Premier League history, having netted 66 goals in 190 matches. Although his final Premier League club was Sheffield Wednesday, his most memorable and impactful spell occurred at West Ham between 1999 and 2003.
A technically gifted forward with a fiery personality, Di Canio produced some of the league’s most unforgettable moments, becoming a true cult hero in the process. His stunning scissor-kick volley against Wimbledon in 2000 is frequently ranked among the greatest goals ever scored in the competition.
His total stands out not only for its quality but also for its longevity. Few Italian attackers have spent enough seasons in England to accumulate such a tally.
Gianfranco Zola – 59 Goals (229 Appearances)
- Club: Chelsea F.C.
- Premier League goals: 59
- Premier League appearances: 229
Second on the list is the legendary playmaker Gianfranco Zola, who scored 59 goals in 229 appearances for Chelsea.
While Di Canio scored more goals, Zola arguably had a more profound influence on the Premier League’s style and international appeal. Arriving in 1996, he brought creativity, agility, and technical brilliance that helped redefine Chelsea during the late 1990s.
Zola was not merely a goal scorer; he was a creator and orchestrator of attacks, embodying a more artistic approach to offensive football.
Benito Carbone – 35 Goals (177 Appearances)
- Club: Sheffield Wednesday
- Premier League goals: 35
- Premier League appearances: 177
Ranking third on this list is attacking midfielder Benito Carbone, who netted 35 Premier League goals in 177 appearances.
Carbone was part of Sheffield Wednesday’s Italian contingent in the late 1990s, playing alongside Di Canio. His creativity and dribbling ability made him one of the club’s standout players during that era, even though the team itself struggled for consistent league success.
Fabrizio Ravanelli – 25 Goals (64 Appearances)
- Club: Middlesbrough F.C.
- Premier League goals: 25
- Premier League appearances: 64
Few Italian players made as explosive a start to their Premier League career as Fabrizio Ravanelli.
The striker scored 25 goals in just 64 appearances for Middlesbrough and famously announced himself with a hat-trick against Liverpool on his debut in 1996.
His scoring rate was impressive, but his stay in England was relatively short, preventing him from climbing higher on the all-time list of top scorers.
Graziano Pellè – 23 Goals (68 Appearances)
- Club: Southampton F.C.
- Premier League goals: 23
- Premier League appearances: 68
Modern Premier League fans might recall the impact of striker Graziano Pellè at Southampton.
Between 2014 and 2016, he scored 23 goals in 68 matches, utilizing his physical presence and aerial ability to become a focal point of Southampton’s attack during one of the club’s strongest recent periods.
Players with 21 Premier League Goals
Three Italians share the next position on the list, each having scored 21 Premier League goals.
Jorginho – 21 Goals (196 Appearances)
- Clubs: Chelsea F.C., Arsenal F.C.
Midfielder Jorginho achieved this tally primarily through converted penalties. Across 196 appearances, his composure from the spot and tactical intelligence made him a key player in Chelsea’s midfield before his move to Arsenal.
Mario Balotelli – 21 Goals (70 Appearances)
- Clubs: Manchester City F.C., Liverpool F.C.
The unpredictable striker Mario Balotelli scored 21 goals in 70 matches. Most of these came during his spell at Manchester City, where he played a significant role in the club’s ascent in the early 2010s.
Gianluca Vialli – 21 Goals (58 Appearances)
- Club: Chelsea F.C.
Gianluca Vialli scored 21 goals in just 58 Premier League appearances, giving him one of the highest goals-per-game ratios among Italian players in England. He later became a player-manager and helped Chelsea win multiple trophies.
Other Notable Italian Premier League Scorers
Several other Italians also contributed respectable goal tallies:
- Massimo Maccarone – 18 goals (81 appearances)
- Francesco Baiano – 16 goals (64 appearances)
- Fabio Borini – 16 goals (111 appearances)
- Roberto Di Matteo – 15 goals (119 appearances)
While none approached Di Canio’s total, these players collectively broadened the Italian footprint in the Premier League.
Why Italians Rarely Top the Scoring Charts
The relatively modest numbers compared to other nationalities reflect several factors. Historically, many Italian stars preferred to remain in Serie A, which during the 1990s and early 2000s was considered one of the world’s most prestigious leagues.
Additionally, Italian players who moved to England often occupied deeper roles, such as midfielders or creative attacking players, rather than traditional prolific strikers.
A Record That Still Stands
Despite the Premier League becoming increasingly international, Paolo Di Canio’s record of 66 goals remains unbeaten by any Italian player.
As the league continues to attract global talent, this remarkable achievement may eventually be surpassed. For now, however, Di Canio’s combination of longevity, flair, and clinical finishing ensures he remains the most prolific Italian scorer the Premier League has ever witnessed.
