Football365 have compiled a tongue-in-cheek ranking of the 10 worst Premier League champions. The list includes Manchester United's legendary 1999 treble winners and Leicester, who claimed the title in 2016.
The ranking took into account points totals, the quality of football and the level of competition.
10th — Arsenal (1997/98).
Arsene Wenger's team won the league and FA Cup after overturning a 12-point deficit to Manchester United. However, an inconsistent start to the season and their rivals' failings could not keep them off the list.
9th — Chelsea (2016/17).
Antonio Conte led Chelsea to the title after switching to a formation with three centre-backs. Their main rivals, however, were unable to mount a serious challenge.
8th — Arsenal (2025/26).
Mikel Arteta built a pragmatic team with an emphasis on set pieces and a reliable defence. Arsenal's football, however, became less entertaining than in 2023/24, when they took 89 points and scored 91 goals but missed out on the title.
7th — Liverpool (2024/25).
Arne Slot won the league in his debut season, retaining the core of Jurgen Klopp's team. Liverpool's title came, however, against the backdrop of Manchester City's crisis and a lack of serious competition.
6th — Manchester United (1998/99).
The legendary treble-winning team did not reach 80 points in the league. United also failed to win any of their four matches against Arsenal and Chelsea.
5th — Manchester United (2012/13).
Sir Alex Ferguson's final league title was secured in large part thanks to Robin van Persie, who scored 26 goals. The squad, however, was already in need of a major overhaul.
4th — Manchester City (2020/21).
Pep Guardiola's team won the title in an unusual season played without spectators. Ilkay Gundogan was City's leading Premier League scorer with 13 goals. After a poor start, City put together a run of 14 consecutive wins.
3rd — Manchester United (1996/97).
United won the title with just 75 points from 38 matches, one of the lowest totals by a Premier League champion.
2nd — Manchester United (1992/93).
The first Premier League champions also made the list. Mark Hughes was United's leading scorer with 15 goals, while the team endured long runs without a win.
1st — Leicester (2015/16).
The most sensational title triumph in Premier League history unexpectedly topped the ranking. Football365 explained its choice by pointing to the failings of Leicester's main rivals: Arsenal surrendered the lead, Tottenham finished third, while Chelsea, Liverpool and the Manchester clubs had disappointing seasons.
The ranking is deliberately provocative and does not diminish the achievements of the teams who managed to win the title.
