An exodus for young Englishmen…
Across the Channel, it’s not uncommon in recent years to see bottlenecks forming in the pool of young English footballers. The latter have found the parade by going into exile in Germany (Jadon Sancho, Jude Bellingham, Reiss Nelson or Ademola Lookman)… and more recently in France. Over the past four years, 13 have left their luggage in France, out of 32 in the history of the French league according to data recorded by the Transfermarkt website.
If Trevoh Chalobah (Lorient, 23), Jonathan Panzo (Monaco and Dijon, 22), Sheyi Ojo (Reims, 25) and Patrick Roberts (Troyes, 25) returned to other countries, and Etienne Green (Saint-Etienne, 22 ) moved to Ligue 2, there are 8 English players left in Ligue 1 this season: Greetings Levi (Troyes, 24 years old), Rhys Healey (Toulouse, 28 years old), Karamoko Dembele (Brest, 19 years old), Ross Barley et Joe Bryan (Nice, both 29), Folarin Balogun (Reims, 21 years old), Stephy Mavididi (Montpellier, 24) and Angel Gomes (Lilac).
But it is difficult to say that the English colony in Ligue 1 is a great success. Only the bottom three enjoy a regular place at their respective clubs apart from Rhys Healey, who has suffered a cruciate ligament tear.
After two first and final exercises in Montpellier (9 goals in 2020/21 and 8 goals in 2021/22), Stephy Mavididi is a little more delicate this season, handicapped by an injury in the first few months and not yet having opened up her goal . Folarin Balogun, on loan from Arsenal, starts in Reims with 8 goals and 2 assists in 15 games. Finally, Angel Gomes established himself as the undisputed holder of Paulo Fonseca’s scheme in Lille (14 games, 1 goal and 1 assist).
Only Barkley has worn the shirt of the “Three Lions”.
Inevitably, the profiles of these players, who have gone into exile in France to buy time, mean they have little chance of filling the ranks of the national team. Only Ross Barkley (Nice), who had a more successful spell at Everton or Chelsea, wore the shirt of the “Three Lions” (33 appearances, 6 goals and 6 assists). But the Nice midfielder hasn’t played for England since October 2019.
Folarin Balogun and Angel Gomes, who went through their youth selections with England and are club performers, could eventually apply for caps at the ‘Three Lions’ in the future, even if the places are expensive. Karamoko Dembélé has also moved to the English Under-18s but the striker is a bit lost and only plays a few games for Brest.
Ineos, now owner of Nice, could instead grow the colony of British players in the coming years. The Riviera club recently secured the services of Joe Bryan as well as Welshman Ross Barkley and Aaron Ramsey. Even if, for the moment, the results are conflicting: 12 matches for Ramsey, only 5 and 8 for Bryan and Barkley.
Waddle and Hoddle make an impression
We have to go back a few years to find traces of English players who have marked the French championship. Chris Waddle won the title three times during OM’s golden age, between 1989 and 1992, and remains the British more French with 107 matches. Although Stephy Mavididi should soon pass him ahead with 95 games on the clock.
Glen Hoddle et Mark Hateley he also won a French championship with Monaco, playing 69 and 59 games respectively for the club du Rocher.
Among the other prominent Englishmen we can mention Joe Cole, author of a remarkable season with Lille in 2011-12 (43 games, 9 goals and 6 assists), but also David Beckham, PSG bling-bling rookie in 2013, or Joey Barton, sulphurous OM midfielder during the 2012-13 season. Three players who have been part of the history of the “Three Lions”, respectively with 56, 115 and… 1 selection for Joey Barton.
