What you need to know about English in League 1?

An escape for young Englishmen…

Across the Channel, it has not been uncommon in recent years for traffic jams to form in the pool of young English footballers. The latter found their way into exile in Germany (Jadon Sancho, Jude Bellingham, Reyes Nelson or Ademola Luqman)… and more recently in France. In the past four years, 13 of the 32 players in the history of the French Championship have left their luggage in France, according to data recorded by the Transfermarkt site.

If Trevoh Chalobah (Lorient, 23), Jonathan Panzo (Monaco and Dijon, 22), Sheyi Ojo (Reims, 25) and Patrick Roberts (Troyes, 25) have returned to other countries, Etienne Green (Saint-Etienne, 22) ) Ligue 2 Moving on, there are 8 Englishmen in Ligue 1 this season: Levi Lumeka (Troys, 24 years old), Rhys Healy (Toulouse, 28 years old), Karamoko Dembele (Brest, 19 years old), Ross Barkley And Joe Bryan (Good, both 29) Fowler’s Bologna (Reims, 21 years old), Steffi Mavithidi (Montpellier, 24) and Angel Gomez (Lily).

But it is difficult to say that the English colony in League 1 is a great success. If we exclude Rhys Healy, who is suffering from a torn cruciate ligament, only the last three will earn a starting spot at their respective clubs.

After two solid debuts at Montpellier (9 goals in 2020/21 and 8 goals in 2021/22), Stéphane Mavididi has been a bit more subtle this season, crippled by injury in the first months, and has yet to open his goal counter. Fowler Balogun, on loan from Arsenal, has shone at Reims with 8 goals and 2 assists in 15 appearances. Finally, Angel Gomez established himself as the undisputed owner of Paulo Fonseca’s program at Lille (14 matches, 1 goal and 1 assist).

Barkley is the only one to wear the “Three Lions” jersey

Inevitably, the profiles of these players exiled in France to gain playing time means they are less likely to fill the ranks of the national team. Only Ross Barkley (Nice), who had a more successful season at Everton or Chelsea, wore the “Three Lions” jersey (33 caps, 6 goals and 6 assists). But the Nice midfielder has not played for England since October 2019.

Fowler Balogun and Ángel Gomes, who have picked youngsters in England and are playing for clubs, could apply for “Three Lions” caps in the future, although places are expensive. Karamoko Dembélé made the switch to the English U18s, but the striker was a bit lost and only played a few matches with Brest.

Ineos, now the owner of Nice, could develop a colony of British players in the coming years. The Riviera club recently secured the services of Joe Bryan in addition to Ross Barkley and Aaron Ramsey, the Welshman. The results so far have been mixed though: 12 games for Ramsey, just 5 and 8 for Bryant and Barkley.

Waddle and Hoddle make an impression

You have to go back a few years to find traces of English players marking the French championship. Chris Waddle During OM’s golden era, he won the title three times between 1989 and 1992, and still holds the title today. British Most French With 107 matches. Stephi Mavitidi should soon pass him with 95 games.

In Glen Hoad And Mark Hadley Du Rocher played 69 and 59 matches with the club respectively and won the French league title with Monaco.

Other great Englishmen include Joe Cole, who authored a remarkable season with Lille in 2011-12 (43 matches, 9 goals and 6 assists), but David Beckham, PSG’s bling-bling rookie in 2013, or Joey. Barton, a midfielder for Sulfur OM in the 2012–13 season. Three players who were part of “Three Lions” history, 56, 115 and… 1 pick for Joey Barton respectively.