Emmanuel Petit vs Teddy Sheringham: Stats Compared
Defensive Midfielder, France (born 1970, retired 2004) · Striker, England (born 1966, retired 2008)
Set Emmanuel Petit alongside Teddy Sheringham and the numbers start an argument of their own. Separated by their years at the top, each defined the football of their own generation. Across his senior career Emmanuel Petit notched 45 goals in 500 appearances (0.09 per game), while Teddy Sheringham recorded 320 in 900 (0.36 per game). In chance creation, Emmanuel Petit tallied 40 assists to Teddy Sheringham's 130. Emmanuel Petit departs the game with 4 major pieces of silverware, including 1× FIFA World Cup (1998); Teddy Sheringham with 4, including 1× UEFA Champions League (1999). Emmanuel Petit belonged to the 1990s, dominating with a dictatorial quality; Teddy Sheringham rose in the 1990s with a explosive edge. Their routes to the top were distinct: Emmanuel Petit built his reputation across Monaco, Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea, peaking around 1998, while Teddy Sheringham reached his defining level around 1999 after spells with Millwall, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Portsmouth, West Ham United, Colchester United. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
175 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
Scorer of France's third goal in the 1998 World Cup final, Petit was a versatile, combative midfielder who completed the Premier League and FA Cup double with Arsenal that same year.
“A tall, technically sound midfielder capable of playing centre-back or holding midfield with equal composure.”
A cerebral, late-developing striker, Sheringham scored the injury-time equaliser in Manchester United's 1999 Champions League final and remains the Premier League's oldest ever goalscorer.
“An intelligent, deep-dropping forward whose clever hold-up play and vision created space for quicker strike partners.”
Head-to-head stats
Career goals by season
Representative career seasons — goals per season for each player across their documented clubs.
Attribute radar
Attribute ratings are peak-era, 0–100. Different positions naturally skew the profile.
Attribute comparison
Trophy breakdown
- 1× FIFA World Cup (1998)
- 1× UEFA European Championship (2000)
- 1× Premier League (1998)
- 1× FA Cup (1998)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (1999)
- 2× Premier League (1999, 2000)
- 1× FA Cup (1999)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1988 Professional debut for Monaco
- 1998 Won FIFA World Cup with Arsenal
- 1998 Won FA Cup with Arsenal
- 1998 Reached the peak of his powers at Arsenal
- 2004 Retired after a final spell at Chelsea
- Finished his career with 45 goals in 500 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 45 goals in 500 appearances and 4 major honours.
- 1984 Professional debut for Millwall
- 1999 Won UEFA Champions League with Manchester United
- 1999 Won FA Cup with Manchester United
- 1999 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester United
- 2008 Retired after a final spell at Colchester United
- Finished his career with 320 goals in 900 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 320 goals in 900 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
Weighing production, silverware and profile, the two finish within a whisker of each other. Call it a respectful draw — greatness of this calibre resists a single winner.
Too close to call — a respectful draw
