Premier League medals : How many are awarded and which players qualify ?

The glittering Premier League trophy represents the pinnacle of English football achievement, but beyond the massive silverware lies another coveted prize – the champions medals. These prestigious awards recognize the individuals who contributed to a title-winning campaign. With Liverpool claiming the 2024-25 Premier League title, attention now turns to which players will receive the official recognition of their achievement.

In Short

Premier League medal allocation policy explained

The Premier League maintains specific guidelines regarding medal distribution for championship-winning teams. Each season, the league provides exactly 40 winners medals to the champions. This tradition has remained consistent throughout the competition’s history since its formation in 1992.

According to official Premier League regulations, medals are automatically awarded to players who make five or more league appearances during the title-winning season. This threshold ensures that only those who made meaningful contributions to the campaign receive recognition. After these guaranteed allocations, the championship club retains discretion over the remaining medals.

The medals themselves feature exquisite craftsmanship. Contrary to popular belief, they aren’t solid gold but rather silver with a thin gold plating on the exterior – a common practice in sports medals for both practical and economic reasons. The current design prominently displays the word “champions” along with the specific season and includes the iconic Premier League lion logo adopted in 2016.

For prediction enthusiasts tracking team performances throughout the season, understanding these medal allocation rules provides another fascinating dimension to following Liverpool’s path to securing the Premier League title and other championship races.

Liverpool’s medal recipients for the 2024-25 season

Liverpool’s triumphant 2024-25 campaign featured contributions from numerous players across all positions. Based on Premier League appearance requirements, 21 Liverpool players have already secured their medals by making at least five league appearances. This group spans the entire squad structure, from goalkeeper Alisson Becker to forward Mohamed Salah.

The guaranteed medal recipients include two goalkeepers: Alisson Becker and Caoimhin Kelleher. The defensive line features Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Bradley, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez, Jarell Quansah, Andrew Robertson, and Kostas Tsimikas. The midfield unit encompasses Ryan Gravenberch, Wataru Endo, Alexis Mac Allister, Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones, and Dominik Szoboszlai. Up front, Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, and Cody Gakpo have all secured their medals.

Several players sit on the threshold of qualification. Italian forward Federico Chiesa, who joined from Juventus last summer for approximately £10 million, has made four Premier League appearances totaling just 33 minutes. Similarly, third-choice goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros and young striker Jayden Danns (currently on loan at Sunderland) have each made single appearances.

The allocation of these remaining medals creates an interesting subplot to Liverpool’s championship celebration. With 21 players guaranteed medals, the club must decide how to distribute the remaining 19 awards from their allocation of 40.

Distribution of remaining medals

While players dominate medal discussions, the Premier League championship represents a collective effort extending far beyond those on the pitch. The remaining medals typically recognize crucial backroom staff who contribute significantly to a title-winning campaign.

Manager Arne Slot will undoubtedly receive a medal, as will his closest assistants, Sipke Hulshoff and former Everton defender Johnny Heitinga. The coaching infrastructure extends further to specialists like physical performance coach Ruben Peeters, individual performance coach Aaron Briggs, and goalkeeping coach Fabian Otte – all strong candidates for medal recognition.

Liverpool must also consider seven additional young players who, while not featuring in Premier League matches, contributed in other competitions: Trent Kone-Doherty, Isaac Mabaya, James McConnell, Tyler Morton, Rio Ngumoha, Amara Nallo, and Trey Nyoni. Their development represents Liverpool’s future, making them potential medal recipients despite not meeting the five-appearance threshold.

Even after accounting for coaches and developing talents, Liverpool would still have medals remaining from their allocation. These could recognize other vital club personnel – medical staff, analysts, kit managers, and others whose behind-the-scenes work facilitated the championship. The decision ultimately falls to the club’s leadership, balancing recognition across the entire organization.

Historical context of Premier League medals

The Premier League’s medal tradition connects to broader sporting heritage. The lion emblem adorning the medals reflects the Three Lions of English football featured in the Football Association’s emblem, creating continuity with national football traditions dating back to 1992 when the Premier League was established.

Previous champions have approached medal distribution differently. Some clubs prioritize playing staff who narrowly missed the appearance threshold, while others emphasize recognition for long-serving backroom personnel. These decisions often reflect club culture and leadership philosophy regarding collective achievement.

The medal allocation process highlights an interesting aspect of title predictions and team analysis. While statistical models focus on star performers, championship success depends on complete squad depth and organizational excellence. Those tracking team performance recognize that title-winning campaigns require contributions from players who may make just a handful of crucial appearances throughout a long season.

As Liverpool celebrates their Premier League triumph, the distribution of these cherished medals represents one final strategic decision in their championship campaign. Each medal acknowledges not just individual achievement but participation in one of football’s most challenging collective accomplishments.