Edgar Davids vs Clint Dempsey: Stats Compared
Defensive Midfielder, Netherlands (born 1973, retired 2011) · Forward, United States (born 1983, retired 2018)
Ask any fan to rank Edgar Davids above or below Clint Dempsey and you will get a passionate answer. Era matters in any comparison, and these two peaked under very different footballing conditions. Edgar Davids finishes with 45 career goals from 600 games — a 0.08 strike rate — against Clint Dempsey's 180 from 550 at 0.33 per match. Add playmaking to the mix and Edgar Davids laid on 40 goals, Clint Dempsey 90. In major honours Edgar Davids collected 4 — headlined by 1× UEFA Champions League (1995) — whereas Clint Dempsey amassed 2, led by 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014). Across the turn of the millennium and the modern era respectively, their incisive and predatory styles captured the spirit of very different footballing times. Their routes to the top were distinct: Edgar Davids built his reputation across Ajax, AC Milan, Juventus, Barcelona, Internazionale, Tottenham Hotspur, Ajax, Crystal Palace, peaking around 2000, while Clint Dempsey reached his defining level around 2012 after spells with New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, Seattle Sounders. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
188 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
Nicknamed 'The Pitbull' for his relentless tackling, Davids wore his trademark wraparound goggles and was one of the most feared ball-winners in Europe during Juventus's late-1990s dominance.
“An aggressive, tireless ball-winner whose combativeness and surprising technical quality made him a complete midfield destroyer.”
The first American to score in three separate World Cups, Dempsey became the first US-born player to captain a Premier League team and remains one of the country's most decorated forwards.
“A tenacious, technically gifted forward whose late runs into the box and clever improvisation produced some of American soccer's most memorable goals.”
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× UEFA Champions League (1995)
- 3× Serie A (1998, 2002, 2003)
- 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014)
- 1× MLS Cup (2016)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1991 Professional debut for Ajax
- 1995 Won UEFA Champions League with Ajax
- 1998 Won Serie A with Juventus
- 2000 Reached the peak of his powers at Juventus
- 2011 Retired after a final spell at Crystal Palace
- Finished his career with 45 goals in 600 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 45 goals in 600 appearances and 4 major honours.
- 2004 Professional debut for New England Revolution
- 2014 Won MLS Supporters' Shield with Seattle Sounders
- 2016 Won MLS Cup with Seattle Sounders
- 2012 Reached the peak of his powers at Fulham
- 2018 Retired after a final spell at Seattle Sounders
- Finished his career with 180 goals in 550 appearances and 2 major honours. Finished his career with 180 goals in 550 appearances and 2 major honours.
The verdict
If forced to pick, Edgar Davids is the choice: a decisive margin, with a stronger all-round attribute profile the deciding factor.
Edgar Davids edges it (a decisive margin)
