Barry, Defoe, Ward-Prowse & Co. – Players to have lost the most matches in Premier League history

Full list revealed 

For every title winner lifting the Premier League trophy in May, there are dozens more trudging down the tunnel after another long afternoon. Since the league’s formation in 1992/93, English football’s top flight has produced icons, champions and record-breakers – but it has also forged a less glamorous hall of fame: the players who have suffered the most defeats in Premier League history. Longevity, loyalty and sheer durability often come at a cost. Those who spend years battling relegation scraps or serving struggling sides inevitably see their loss columns swell.

From stalwart defenders anchoring porous back lines to midfield workhorses fighting uphill battles season after season, these are careers defined as much by resilience as by the dodgy results that followed them. In many cases, appearing high on this list is not a reflection of poor ability, but of remarkable staying power. To lose frequently in the Premier League, you first have to play – and play a lot. The names near the top are seasoned veterans who amassed hundreds of appearances across multiple campaigns, often at clubs fighting against the odds. Using data from the Premier League era, Transfermarkt takes a closer look at the players who have endured the most defeats since 1992.

Players with the most losses in Premier League history

Leading the way with the unfortunate tag of the player with the most defeats in Premier League history is goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer. The Australian amassed 514 games, but lost as many of 200 of those games. He turned out for Middlesbrough, Fulham, Chelsea and Leicester. In second place is the league’s joint all-time top appearance holder Gareth Barry – he played 653 matches, losing 198 of them. Another keeper takes third, with David James losing 197 of the 572 games he played in the English top-flight.

Former Bolton striker Kevin Davies takes fourth having lost 193 of the 442 Premier League games he played. In fifth is forward Jermain Defoe, who was on the losing side in 188 of the 496 matches he played in. Gary Speed, who is unfortunately no longer with us, is sixth with 185 defeats. Goalkeeper Jussi Jääskeläinen takes seventh spot with 176 defeats. Ben Foster beats Emile Heskey to eighth; they have both lost 176 games, but Foster did in 126 matches fewer. Midfielder James Ward-Prowse completes the top 10 with 175 losses – he could still add to that figure with struggling Burnley this season.