Janice R. Andrews
The League Cup—known over the years as the Carling Cup, Carabao Cup, and other names—is one of English football’s most accessible trophies. Offering the earliest opportunity for silverware in the season, it’s often regarded as the simplest major competition to win. Yet, despite its status, some of the greatest players in Premier League history have surprisingly never lifted it.
Here’s a look at seven legendary players whose stellar careers remain marked by the absence of this particular accolade.
1. Harry Kane
Harry Kane, one of the Premier League’s most prolific strikers, came close to winning the League Cup twice. His first chance came in 2015, when Tottenham Hotspur lost to Chelsea in the final. The second opportunity slipped away in 2021 after Spurs fell to Manchester City in a 1-0 defeat, a match overshadowed by the controversial sacking of José Mourinho just days before the final.
Now plying his trade at Bayern Munich, Kane’s chances of lifting this trophy seem remote unless he makes a return to England.
2. Fernando Torres
Fernando Torres dazzled fans with his skill and finishing ability during his time at Liverpool and Chelsea. However, the Spanish striker never managed to win the League Cup despite playing for two of England’s top clubs.
Though he scored six League Cup goals during his career in England, Torres never came close to claiming the trophy. That said, with achievements like the World Cup, European Championship, Champions League, and Europa League in his collection, missing the League Cup is unlikely to trouble him much.
3. N’Golo Kanté
N’Golo Kanté’s career is synonymous with success, having played pivotal roles in Leicester City’s miraculous 2016 Premier League triumph and Chelsea’s numerous domestic and international victories. Despite this, the League Cup remains missing from his trophy cabinet.
Kanté had two chances to win it with Chelsea, finishing as a runner-up in 2019 and 2022. Both finals were lost on penalties—first to Manchester City and later to Liverpool. These near misses add an unusual gap to an otherwise illustrious career.
4. Erling Haaland
Given Manchester City’s dominance in the League Cup under Pep Guardiola—winning it five times between 2018 and 2021—it’s surprising that Erling Haaland hasn’t claimed this trophy.
Haaland joined City in 2022, just as their streak of League Cup victories came to an end. Though he made an immediate impact by helping the club secure a historic treble in his debut season, the League Cup remains one of the few honors missing from his collection.
5. Jamie Vardy
Jamie Vardy’s story, from non-league football to Premier League stardom, is one of football’s most inspiring tales. A Leicester City legend, he helped his team secure the Premier League in 2016 and the FA Cup in 2021. However, the League Cup eluded Leicester during their golden era.
Despite his achievements and loyalty to Leicester, the club never quite managed to win this trophy. With Leicester now back in the Premier League, Vardy may still have a slim chance to add the League Cup to his legacy.
6. Robin van Persie
Robin van Persie enjoyed tremendous success with Arsenal and Manchester United, but the League Cup never featured among his accolades.
His closest attempt came in 2011, when Arsenal surprisingly lost the final to Birmingham City. Although he later won the Premier League with Manchester United in 2013, Van Persie never managed to secure what is often considered the most accessible domestic trophy in English football.
7. Thierry Henry
As one of the greatest players in Premier League history, Thierry Henry achieved nearly everything during his time at Arsenal. He won two Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and even reached a Champions League final. Yet, the League Cup remained out of reach.
Henry’s failure to win this competition can largely be attributed to Arsenal’s tradition under Arsène Wenger of prioritizing youth players and squad rotation in the League Cup, often at the expense of silverware.
Why It Matters
The League Cup has always divided opinion. For some, it represents a valuable trophy that offers teams and players a chance to win silverware early in the season. For others, it’s overshadowed by the Premier League, FA Cup, and European competitions.
For these seven footballing icons, the lack of a League Cup title doesn’t diminish their greatness. However, it adds an intriguing footnote to their illustrious careers, proving that even legends can miss out on football’s so-called “easiest” trophy.
As new generations of players emerge, it remains to be seen whether the League Cup will regain its importance or continue to be an afterthought in the pursuit of bigger prizes.
