The 9 Premier League players born in Birmingham and the West Midlands shaking up the division
We’ve taken a look at the West Midlands-born players who are currently playing in the Premier League
Some of England’s finest football players were born and bred in Birmingham and the West Midlands - and there’s nine stars who are really shaking up the Premier league currently.
Researchers have recently had a look at the counties in England which produce footballers that have scored at least 200 goals in the English football league (including Premier League and the Football League).
And the West Midlands ranks highly on the list - with ten of the players being born in and around Birmigham. Our region came second highest in the poll conducted for Bookmaker.com, just behind Greater Manchester which had 11.
Players from the West Midlands scoring more than 200 goals include Arthur “The Gunner” Rowley, born in Wolverhampton and scored 434 goals, and Joe Smith, born in Dudley and scored 315 goals. Other players from West Midlands who have scored more than 200 or more goals include Steve Bull and Bob Latchford.
With that in mind we’ve had a look at our current Premier League stars who are really shaking up the division - there are nine players who currently play for teams across the country that you may be surprised to learn have Brummie routes.
London currently has the highest amount of English players playing in the Premier League. In 2020, it was revealed that 14 per cent of the Premier League’s English-born players actually came from within 10 square miles of south London. But the West Midlands has their fair share too.
Let’s take a look at the nine players born in and around Birmingham and where they play for.
1. Jacob Ramsey, Aston Villa
At just 21-years-old, Jacob Ramsey is already a key player for Villa. The youngster, who was born in Birmingham, is set for a big future with club and country
2. Rico Henry, Brentford
Left-back Rico Henry has become a key part of Thomas Frank’s impressive Brentford side over the last couple of seasons. Henry was also born in Brum. After a spell with Cadbury Athletic and failing a trial with Aston Villa Henry joined Walsall at age 11 and joined Brentford in 2016 Photo: Ryan Pierse
3. Demari Gray, Everton
Also born in Birmingham, Demari Gray came through the youth system of Birmingham City, for whom he made his Football League debut as a 17-year-old in October 2013. In two-and-a-half seasons, he made 78 appearances across all competitions, before joining Leicester City in 2016 and Everton in 2021. Also played for Cadbury Athletic Photo: Getty Images Europe
4. James Maddison, Leicester City
Maddison is one of the most creative English players. He’s had another great season. Maddison was born in Coventry. He joined the club’s youth system before moving to Norwich in 2016. Photo: Justin Setterfield