The Power Of The Ex-Pats: Uncovering The Impact Of English Players In Ligue 1 This Season
A Closer Look At How The English Are Faring In France.
Since making the journey, talented players and clever managers have been making their mark on the French leagues.
From the picturesque streets of Lens to the Mediterranean coast of Marseille, the English influence is being felt.
This week on Ligue 1 Essential, we take a look at how some of the ex-pats are faring in French football so far this season.
Players
Mason Greenwood - Marseille - The Controversial One
Baggage in tow, Greenwood touched down in France this summer.
The ex-Manchester United ace, fresh from a Spanish sojourn, now dons the colors of another club steeped in fervent fan culture.
His arrival, much-hyped and scrutinised, adds intrigue and ethical dilemmas in even measure to this storied team's saga this season.
Fast-paced Marseille news cycles swiftly bury headlines. For a player oft-criticised off-field, this rapid churn may prove a hidden blessing for Greenwood as he attempts to forge a resurrection of his fledging football career.
Marseille and Greenwood burst into the new Ligue 1 season, sparking title hopes that they could finally challenge PSG.
The 23-year-old attacker netted five goals in his first three matches, powering the team's unbeaten five-game streak under De Zerbi's fresh management regime.
But the former England star's fiery start cooled. His last league goal came on August 31st, with four scoreless games following.
The international break arrived as Greenwood's early season magic faded, leaving fans wondering if Marseille's challenge to PSG would endure through winter.
Only PSG's Bradley Barcola has scored more Ligue 1 goals than Greenwood, despite his recent slump.
Defenders now wary, swarm Greenwood as he charges Marseille's right wing, stifling his trademark runs.
His in-game positional flexibility will need to increase to thwart defensive systems now fully aware of his powers.
Marseille are showing signs of being a force to be reckoned with again, but they need to get their house in order off the pitch to mount a serious Ligue 1 challenge, which their passionate fans are craving.
Opposition fans in Ligue 1 still treat Greenwood's every touch with disdain, even though the charges against him were dropped.
Manchester United are waiting in the wings with a 50% sell-on clause, hoping Greenwood will rediscover his early-season form. Marseille's powerbrokers, who splashed out €30 million on the former England star, are also counting on it.
Angel Gomes - Lille - The One Of Growing Renown
Quick feet and vision define his style. As time passes, Gomes continues to grow in stature. His move from England to European football is paying off.
Gomes serves as a shining example to young players with limited game time at top European clubs, showing them the value of seeking new opportunities to gain valuable match experience.
At Lille, now a Champions League competitor, Gomes has found the perfect platform to showcase and hone his abilities.
The 24-year-old Gomes was even called up by interim England manager Lee Carsley for a recent set of Nations League matches, featuring in wins against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.
As a highly technical attacking midfielder, Gomes excels at orchestrating passing movements through the central column of opponents.
Defensively, despite his small physical stature, his high level of game intelligence enables him to anticipate danger and press effectively.
He embodies a new breed of English footballers, characterised by elegant skills rather than the traditional athletic build of the past.
Standing at just 168cm / 5'6'' it is scary to think there may have been a time a scout would overlook a player of Gomes ilk due to his physique rather than his obvious potential.
His reputation swells as he gains match experience, Gomes once one of the 'wonderkids' in Manchester United's academy departed for a foreign adventure with Lille in 2020.
The Lille player was born in North London, and moved to the Manchester suburb of Salford in his tender years.
The young Englishman's future looks bright in a different life he could be wearing the national team colours of Portugal, Gomes is one of only three England players to win the Under-21 Euros having also lifted the Under-17 World Cup
His father Gil was also an international footballer playing alongside the likes of Luis Figo and Rui Costa for U21 successful Portuguese sides.
Gomes rejected a contract offer at United to join Lille on a free transfer in search of more first time opportunities, under former manager Paulo Fonseca the player was often deployed in a deeper midfield playmaking role.
In truth he can play anywhere in the midfield sector, an ability that adds to his allure, he owes much to Lille for the player he has become, one feels it is only a matter of time before he repays them a hefty transfer windfall.
The problem for Lille, his contract expires next summer.
Charlie Cresswell - Toulouse - The One On Shaky Ground
Another English export possessing international underage caps arrived in Ligue 1 this summer in the form of centreback Charlie Cresswell.
The 22-year-old arrived from Leeds United for a fee reported to be in the region of €4m.
Initially, the transfer talks seemed doomed to fail as Cresswell and Toulouse struggled to agree personal terms.
The data-driven club, led by Damien Comolli, made waves by beating Liverpool in Europe last season.
Now, they're struggling near the bottom of Ligue 1, scoring few goals.
Toulouse and Cresswell are in 16th place, with one win in seven matches.
So far this season Toulouse look a pale shadow of the side that won the Coupe de France in May 2023.
Toulouse's attack lacks bite. This bluntness could drag them into relegation peril, despite their 2022 Ligue 1 return.
Comolli envisioned a top-eight finish this season, aiming to cement the club's status.
Yet without offensive solutions, Toulouse's top-flight dream may crumble, undoing their hard-earned promotion only newly promoted Angers have scored fewer.
Despite the club's attacking woes, Cresswell's recruitment by the analytics-focused RedBird Capital owners speaks to his potential.
The young English defender has featured in six Ligue 1 encounters thus far starting the first three games of the season.
Djibril Sidibé, a 32-year-old veteran and former French international, took Creswell's starting spot after arriving from AEK Athens.
This signing bucks Toulouse's youth-focused recruitment trend. Though early, Cresswell shows promise in attacking set-pieces.
He aims to emulate Jake O'Brien's trajectory—the Irishman flourished at Lyon before joining Everton, proving Ligue 1's potential as a Premier League springboard.
Cresswell's first priority is to win back his starting spot at his new club.
Jonathan Rowe - Marseille - The One Who Caught Us Off Guard With His Arrival
Another player who departed the intense battlefield of the Championship is striker Jonathan Rowe.
Jonathan Rowe, the 21-year-old striker, left Norwich City after a decade to join Marseille on loan.
His exit was contentious, with reports suggesting he made himself unavailable amid transfer speculation.
Marseille secured a season-long loan deal, set to become permanent next summer.
If fans of the French giants were left feeling underwhelmed by the signing of Rowe it didn’t take him long to announce himself to Ligue 1 watchers.
Rowe quickly silenced doubters with a stunning goal against Lyon, securing an unlikely win for 10-man Marseille.
Marseille found themselves in quite a pickle against rivals Lyon, with a man sent off De Zerbi’s men played 85 minutes with 10.
With the game evenly poised at 2-2, Rowe unleashed a sublime finish to secure an unlikely three points. (Click here to view)
He's notched two Ligue 1 goals as a substitute, hinting at his potential impact.
The North London native joined Norwich at 11, excelling last season with 12 goals in 32 Championship matches.
His performances earned him an England U21 call-up and a nomination for young championship player of the year.
Versatile and pacey, Rowe is adapting to French life and culture. He now shares the pitch with seasoned pros like Greenwood, Hojbjerg, and Rabiot, as well as promising talents Meite and Kone.
Marseille may have unearthed a gem in this young, ambitious forward.
From promising talents to seasoned pros, our upcoming editions have it all.
Liam Rosienor and Will Still represent the future. Maitland-Niles and Emran Soglo showcase potential rebirths.
Even Andy Carroll, though outside Ligue 1, offers nostalgic appeal.
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