Ever since it’s inception, The Premier League has been awash with some truly talented foreign imports. However, one country takes the biscuit when it comes to re-invigorating the English game to new and exciting heights. Here’s our list of the top 5 French imports to the play in the Premier League.
5. David Ginola
Laughing in the face of pundits alike screaming for a more conservative defensive structure in his side, Kevin Keegan’s ‘Entertainers’ of 96-97 were one of the Premier Leagues greatest sides.
Magpies fans were treated to some truly entertaining attacking football, as long as Newcastle were outscoring the opposition, Kevin Keegan has a beaming smile on his face.
To implement his bold forward play, Keegan needed some exemplary players, step forward David Ginola.
Arriving at Newcastle United from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 1995, Ginola seemed quite the specimen. The face and body of a Calvin Klein model, housewives were in awe, once he started ghosting past defenders with unbelievable elegance, so were their husbands.
Sure, his light only shone to briefly, but Ginola has some career defining moments. Check out this volley against Ferencvaros…
4. Robert Pires
By the time Wenger’s Arsenal side was in full flow, the club possed some of the most naturally gifted footballers in the worlds. Even today, Arsenal are looking for a Henry, Bergkamp, Adams, etc, etc ,etc replacment.
They certainly haven’t discovered a Robert Pires one
Another absurdly inexpensive signing for his manager, Arsneal coughed up just £5 million to bring Pires to Arsenal from Marseille.
A little while later he would be named in three PFA Teams of the Year, as well as becoming the Football Writers best player in 2002 – namely for his contributions to Arsenal’s unbeaten double winning campaign – scoring a magnificent 19 goals.
3. Patrick Viera
It’s easy to forget that the towering presence of Patrick Viera was an unknown quantity prior to his arrival on English shores. A gangly unconvincing presence in the lower ranks of the AC Milan squad, Arsene Wenger saw a real gem of the player, a serious snip at just £3.5 million.
Combined with his fellow compatriot Manu Petit (and then Gilberto) in the heart of the Gunner’s midfield, Viera led an unstoppable Arsenal side to 3 Premier League and FA Cup crowns.
Armed with an assurance on the ball to rival the most technically gifted, as well as real bite in the tackle, those coming up against the World Cup winner were usually chewed and spat out – only the most fearless managed to get the better of him, albeit fleetingly – see Roy Keane.
When not taking names in the middle of the pitch, Viera was devastatingly deft as scoring superb goals.
2. Eric Cantona
Sometimes it feels only Manchester United fans truly understand what Eric Cantona did for English football as a whole. Sure, the former Marseilles and Leeds United striker secured a first league title in 26 years (not to mention another 3 after that), the uncaring swaggering manner he did it all, however, was truly mesmerising.
Cultural and supremely talented with the ball, Cantona was unpredictable in the best and worst senses of the word. Sure, he could dominate a game with his full repertoire of back heals and long distance passes, he could also send his studs straight through a floored opposition player.
Sir Alex Ferguson, with all his diligence and need for control over his squad, was enamoured by his brilliance.
Speaking about Cantona’s infamous ‘Kung-fu’ kick at a fan, former winger Lee Sharpe tells brilliantly of his managers reaction.
“The door smashes off the back of its hinges. The jacket is off, he’s got the short sleeves rolled up; steam coming out of his ears and frothing at the mouth.
“There’s benches in the middle of the room with shirts and balls to be signed. Cups of tea and plates of sandwiches. They’re sent f****** flying everywhere.
“We’re getting scalded and getting egg sandwiches down the back of our necks. We look at each other, thinking, ‘F****** hell, Cantona is getting it here!’
“And the he starts, the manager. ‘F****** Pallister, you can’t head anything, you can’t tackle. Incey, where the f*** have you been? Sharpey, my grandmother runs f****** faster than you! … You’re all a f****** disgrace.
“Nine o’clock, tomorrow morning, I’m going to run your f****** balls off in training. F****** shocking. And Eric…. [in a softer tone] you can’t go round doing things like that son’.”
Brilliant.
1. Thierry Henry
The greatest ever foreigner to play in the Premier League? There is no doubt Thierry Henry’s time at Arsenal has reserved God-like status.
Those familiar with lower league football will understand, players possessed with extreme pace on the ball rarely can deliver a final ball, perhaps even trap one.
Henry was the exception to the rule, he possessed pace to burn as well as exceptional technical ability.
Impressing with fellow French striker David Trezeguet as a youngster at Monaco, Henry’s career slightly derailed after being asked to play out wide for Juventus in 1999. Just as new the century began, Henry was snapped up by Wenger and asked to play up top.
Knowing that if he could get the World Cup winner to improve his finishing he might have a world beater, Henry delivered on his managers faith in exceptional style.
On top of that, Henry loved his club and became a passionate and driven adversary for rival teams. If a Getwin Sportsbook would have existed, betting companies would have put Henry as certainty to score against your club.
Eight years at Arsenal resulted in 174 Premier League goals and two league titles before a move to Barcelona. Whilst his ability was somewhat lost on the sea of talent Barca possesed, he did manage to claim a much desired Champions League winners medal, a fine addition to his World Cup one.
Honorable mentions
Claude Makelele, Nicolas Anelka, Marcel Desailly, Emmanuel Petit, Patrice Evra, William Gallas, Samir Nasri, Gael Clichy, Laurent Robert, Sylvain Wiltord