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The Premier League is synonymous with entertainment, last minute drama, high octane matches and what not, the league defines pleasure. The English Premier League has been blessed to witness some of the greats of the game. The beautiful fields have been graced by some supreme domestic and foreign talent.
Talking about foreign talents, there stands one historic nation which has been one of the topmost exporters of talent to the Premier League. A country which personifies class, France.
French players are known for their class on the ball, individual brilliance and not to forget their rock solid mentality. The country blessed to have lifted the prestigious FIFA World Cup is home to some of the league's greats. Here we list the top 10 Frenchmen to have ever played in the English Premier League.
#10 Paul Pogba
The flamboyant midfielder is famous for his skilful game, long-range shooting and vibrant hairstyles. The Manchester United man has been a jolly character on the field. Whenever the Frenchman rolls the ball in the midfield you can sense the opposition in trouble.
Pogba is capable of avoiding obstacles and picking a sharp defense splitting pass.
He was instrumental in France's World Cup triumph in Russia as Les Bleus claimed their 2nd world title but has had an on and off time at United with his on-field form being a constant topic of debate for most of his time in England.
Sir Alex might consider selling Pogba for free to Juventus as his biggest mistake as the Frenchman returned years later for a world record fee of 105 million euros.
Expectations have been high on Paul Pogba owing to this enormous transfer fee but the Premier League devotees understand his footballing ability and believe Pogba will be the top dog in world football in future.
#9 Robert Pirès
Pirès is best known among fans for introducing the inverted winger style of play. He has always been recognized for his link-up play with teammates and his reputation of being an opportunist in the box apart from being one of the best wingers of his time. In 2001, he was voted FWA Footballer of the year and Arsenal’s best player after Arsenal lifted the Premier League trophy.
Followed by 2003, when Arsenal became the first English club to remain unbeaten and achieve the coveted golden Premier League trophy. Robert is perhaps an understated player, not as flashy as a lot of soccer stars but very effective which can be witnessed in helping Arsenal with 2 Premier League titles.
He joined Aston Villa afterwards but was released from the club in one year only. According to Pirès, rather than making football faster and faster with lots of moves, as one ages one needs to play with his brain as well as his feet. Currently, Robert is part of the coaching staff at Arsenal.
#8 Nicolas Anelka
Anelka joined Premier League club Arsenal in 1997. With his raving performances and exclusive style, he played an efficient role in Arsenal’s double win of both Premier League and the FA Cup. The Frenchman scored 17 goals in the Premier League and held the position of being a top scorer in 1998-99.
After being named at 29th in the club’s compilation of 50 greatest Gunners of all time, Nicolas solidified his status as an Arsenal legend. Afterwards, he joined multiple clubs- Real Madrid, Paris Saint-German and Bolton Wanderers.
But after a couple of years, he returned and joined Liverpool and pushed the club to score the position of runners-up in the Premier League. In 2008-9, he played for Chelsea where he scored 19 goals which included 2 hat-tricks which earned him a Golden boot.
Anelka's days at Chelsea were appreciated but it was his time in an Arsenal shirt which made him a Premier League legend.
#7 Hugo Lloris
With lightning reflexes and great decision making, Lloris is commendable both as a goalkeeper as well as a captain. Being one of the best goalkeepers of the Premier League, Hugo is largely known for his explosiveness and a very great agility. Beginning with Tottenham Hotspur, his performances for the club earned him the right to be named as the next big goalie at the North-London outfit after Brad Friedel.
Very much regarded as the sweeper-keeper by the media, Lloris conceded 26 goals in the whole 2016-17 Premier League season and has racked up the Premier League Milestone of 200 appearances.
Over the years many top clubs have eyed Hugo as their future number 1 but the Frenchman's loyalty towards the London club is commendable. Lloris has been instrumental in Tottenham's continuous rise to the top half of the Premier League. The goalie has been impressive between the sticks in the UEFA champions league as well.
The Spurs keeper helped France in winning the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia as his brilliant saves contributed to Les Bleus success.
#6 Patrice Evra
Evra is probably the greatest French left-back of all time and he is highly credited for the transformation of the position as his sprints on the left flank showed the world the true meaning of a fullback.
Patrice also was known as Uncle Pat and will go down as one of the legends of Manchester United. He played with heart and desire and always gave his best whenever he wore the red of United. At the beginning of his Manchester United career, Evra was facing problems to adapt the English game.
He was used as a substitute and had very fewer appearances. Uncle Pat had an image of being an attacking threat at corners and then by 2006-13, Evra was a huge contribution in five well-earned Premier League titles. Filled with highs as well as controversial moments, Patrice established himself at United in that 8-year period.
#5 N'Golo Kante
N'golo Kante is one of the best players in his position and deserves a Ballon d'Or. His intelligence and unrivalled defensive qualities ensure any midfield is balanced. With his crazy defensive skills and dribbles, the ‘monstre’ had been a part of the Leicester City squad and made his only season at the club a memorable one by winning the club’s first ever Premier League with a high number of tackles and interceptions.
Then, he moved to Chelsea where he was rightly named as the world’s 6th Best Footballer of 2016 after he helped the club in earning a Premier League title. The charisma of the French midfielder after winning back to back Premier League titles in England with two different clubs earned him the prestigious Premier League Player of the season award twice.
Kante was instrumental in Leicester City's historic Premier League triumph and The Foxes really missed their star midfielder the following season as Kante moved to Chelsea as they struggled to replicate any semblance of cohesion in his absence.
The tiny midfielder whose footballing prowess is second to none helped France in winning the 2018 FIFA world cup in Russia where he played a major role in his nation's success.
#4 Patrick Viera
Commonly regarded as the force of nature, so powerful and the driving force of Arsenal’s success at the time. Viera transcended the eras of 70-80s and excelled in the next two decades where nastiness was only a regular thing. Arsenal achieved a sustained period of success with 3 FA Cups and 3 League Titles including one unbeaten in 2004.
He pioneered the role of dominating midfielder, noted for his competitive and aggressive style of playing. Not only was he an prominent player but also captained Arsenal for a long period of time. Patrick had the class to play in today’s game where skill on the ball is paramount.
The former Arsenal skipper wore his heart on his sleeve and was one of the most dynamic characters the game has ever seen. He developed a famous rivalry with Roy Keane who was then leading Manchester United on the field. Arsenal and Manchester United were always at loggerheads and so were Keane and Viera.
#3 Claude Makelele
The decision to sell Makelele to PSG proved to be a pretty costly one for the blues as his genuine replacement wasn't found in the years to come. A combative and hardworking player, Makelele exhibited compelling defensive qualities with which he became instrumental in the run of the team for the Premier League title.
Being called the ‘battery’ of the team, Makélélé was more than a mere defensive midfielder but was actually Chelsea's deep-lying playmaker, and that Chelsea's attacks were channelled through him. In 2004-05 FA Premier League season, he played a key role in helping Chelsea to win both the FA Premier League and the League Cup.
Hence, he was declared as Chelsea’s ‘Player of the year’. Also in special adulation, a deep defensive midfield position is casually known as ‘Makelele Role’. Makelele turned out moulding his game like a true anchorman.
#2 Eric Cantona
Eric Cantona, the legend of Barclay’s Premier League left an indelible mark on England’s biggest club. He played 5 seasons in the Premier League winning 4 titles and 2 doubles. With a mentality to conquer, Cantona led United to the 1996‑97 title, the fourth in his five years at the club.
With his attacking football, ingenuity, aggression and an utter insistence to win earned him the number 7 shirt for the rest of his Manchester United Career and which already had the iconic status of having previously been worn by club legends. From following the footsteps of his father who often played as a goalkeeper to playing up front, King Eric is one of the most entertaining players of the Premier League era.
Manchester United had not won the league for nearly 26 years and then came Eric Cantona and the rest as they say is history. The Frenchman proved to be the X-factor United craved for all those years and it is to Cantona's brilliance that United rose to the pinnacle of club football in the 90s.
#1 Thierry Henry
The legendary Frenchman who was capable of winning big games on his own, Thierry Henry was an out and out legend who scored goals for fun and was an absolute menace on the field. With 174 goals in 254 appearances, Henry remains the greatest foreign goalscorer in the history of the premier league.
Playing as an up-front striker, Henry remained Arsenal's main offensive threat for nearly a decade. Henry being the top goal scorer in the Premier League, has his name marked for a record four seasons. From 2001-06, he won 4 Premier League Golden Boot awards as Arsenal scored a pair of Premier League titles.
On many occasions conjuring spectacular goals, la joueur has risen playing his unselfish game with creativity. His rising status as one of the world's best footballers was affirmed with an impressive goal tally of 26 in his first season at Arsenal, the statement of being “re-taught everything about the art of striking” was dismissed.
In 2006, Henry scored a hat-trick against Wigan Athletic and was voted FWA Footballer of the Year for the third time. Arsenal dedicated a bronze statue of Henry at the Emirates Stadium, declaring him as their greatest player of all-time!
