The Rest Is Football

Episode: Can You Name The Spanish Players With The Most Premier League Appearances?

Release Date: October 22, 2025
Hosts: Alan Shearer (hosting duties), Gary Lineker, Micah Richards

Overview

In this lively and competitive episode, Alan Shearer, Gary Lineker, and Micah Richards trade laughs and insights while tackling a challenging quiz: Can they name the top 10 Spanish players who have made the most appearances in the Premier League? What unfolds is a blend of banter, football nostalgia, and genuine struggle as the trio dig deep into their memories and knowledge, exchanging stories and strong opinions about the players and their Premier League journeys.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Quiz Introduction / Setting the Stage

• Alan Shearer takes on the role of quizmaster, challenging Gary and Micah with a deceptively tough quiz.
• Light-hearted accusations of cheating and jokes about Micah's previous quiz losses set a playful tone.
• The rules: Name the top 10 Spanish players with the most Premier League appearances, with bonus points for ordering.

2. The Obvious Picks & Early Confidence

• The first players named come quickly as the group riff on household names:
  • David Silva (4th, 309 appearances)
  • David De Gea (1st, 415 appearances)
    “If this is not in the top three, I’ll retire from the quiz.” – Micah Richards [05:00]
• The hosts reminisce about Silva and De Gea’s legacies:
  • Micah laments Silva not playing with City at its absolute peak, calling him "Barcelona, Real Madrid level." [04:32]

3. Football Stories and Nostalgia

• Discussion of Juan Mata (7th), his Chelsea and Man Utd days, and his temperament as a pundit during the Euros:
  “He handled that situation enjoying Spain’s defeat but being pretty respectful of the fact we were all broken-hearted.” – Gary Lineker [06:43]
• Micah and Gary recall their own memories of Cesc Fàbregas (2nd, 350 apps), and other standout Spanish players.
  • Micah jokes about Fàbregas always beating him to the Young Player of the Year award:
    “Fabregas always used to beat me to young player of the year. Tosser.” – Micah Richards [07:51]

4. Unexpected Pivots and Struggles

• As the obvious choices are exhausted, the struggle becomes real.
• Several tricky, less high-profile names emerge:
  • Pablo Zabaleta is NOT Spanish, an early would-be trap avoided.
  • Adama Traore (8th, 252 appearances) becomes a surprise inclusion, discussed for his numerous clubs and sub appearances:
    “I did not expect that one.” – Micah Richards [15:01]
• Micah’s guess of Fernando Torres falls just outside the top 10 (11th), highlighting how longevity trumps star power in this list.

5. The Final Stretch: Deep Cuts and Educated Guesses

• As the hosts inch closer to a full list, uncertainty grows:
  • Several names are guessed for nostalgia rather than certainty, like Angel Rangel and Hector Bellerin (13th).
• Hints from Alan (“both played for two clubs”) help, but both hosts begin guessing rather than relying on knowledge.
• The final answers:
  • Ayoze Pérez (10th, 183 apps): “To be honest I don’t want to take credit for that. That was just a guess.” – Micah Richards [16:58]
  • Oriol Romeu (9th, 239 apps): “Do you remember Romeu…unbelievable for a couple of seasons?” – Micah Richards [19:39]
  • Nacho Monreal (12th overall, clinches the win for Lineker) [20:58]

6. Wrap-Up & Reflections

• With the final guess, Gary Lineker is declared the quiz winner, though all admit the last few answers were lucky guesses.
• There’s surprise at some omissions (like Santi Cazorla and Rodri not making the top 10 by appearances).
• The hosts reflect on the surprising depth and breadth of Spanish involvement in Premier League history.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On David Silva:
  “He should have been playing for the Man City of today, or a Real Madrid or Barcelona. So that’s how good he was.” – Micah Richards [04:32]

• On De Gea:
  “After about a year, 18 months, he just turned into an absolute machine. His agility was just ridiculous.” – Micah Richards [05:41]

• On Fabregas beating Micah to awards:
  “Fabregas always used to beat me to young player of the year. Tosser.” – Micah Richards [07:51]

• On the difficulty of the quiz:
  “It’s always quite easy with the first few names. The obvious ones. I’m sort of struggling now.” – Gary Lineker [09:48]
  “Big Meek is on the ropes. I don’t know where to go.” – Micah Richards [16:01]

• On surprise entries:
  “Adama Traore is in there, guys. Well done.” – Alan Shearer [14:40]
  “I did not expect that one.” – Micah Richards [15:01]

• On pure guesswork:
  “The last two I got were just purely guesses.” – Micah Richards [20:32]
  “Honestly, I was genuinely, genuinely struggling to think of actually Spanish players.” – Gary Lineker [21:31]

• Joking about legacy:
  “Micah, you’ve let yourself down, you’ve let your family down, you’ve let the country down again.” – Alan Shearer [21:20]

Key Timestamps

• [01:39] – Alan Shearer introduces the episode’s quiz: Spanish PL players by appearances
• [03:00] – First pick: David Silva (4th, 309 apps)
• [04:47] – Micah on how good Silva was “Barcelona, Real Madrid level.”
• [05:06] – De Gea is top of the list (1st, 415 apps)
• [06:24] – Juan Mata revealed (7th, 278 apps)
• [07:45] – Fabregas named (2nd, 350 apps)
• [09:35] – Azpilicueta chosen (3rd, 330 apps)
• [13:01] – Arteta added to the list (6th, 284 apps)
• [14:36] – Adama Traore surprises as 8th (252 apps)
• [15:30] – Down to last two… struggle sets in
• [16:30] – Ayoze Pérez secures spot 10
• [20:12] – Romeu guessed as 9th
• [20:58] – Nacho Monreal answers for the win
• [21:20] – Final commentary and wrap-up

Final Top 10 (by Appearances)

1. David De Gea (415)
2. Cesc Fàbregas (350)
3. César Azpilicueta (330)
4. David Silva (309)
5. Pepe Reina (297)
6. Mikel Arteta (284)
7. Juan Mata (278)
8. Adama Traore (252)
9. Oriol Romeu (239)
10. Ayoze Pérez (183)

Tone & Language

The episode is witty, fast-paced, and filled with insider banter and respect for great careers. Alan Shearer's dry humor as quizmaster, Micah Richard’s exuberance, and Gary Lineker’s wry observations keep listeners engaged—crucially, the tone remains light even as the quiz gets tough.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode offers an engaging blend of football trivia, nostalgic stories, and personality-driven banter. Even if you’re not a stat-head, it’s entertaining to hear these legendary figures grapple with their own football memories, celebrate great Spanish footballers, and needle each other in good fun. By the finale, even the hosts are surprised at how difficult it is—and how many impactful Spaniards have left their mark on the Premier League.