5 best English players not playing in the Premier League (2021)

Atalanta BC v AS Roma - Serie A
Atalanta BC v AS Roma - Serie A

The Premier League is easily the biggest and most respected footballing league on the planet. The English top-flight not only has some exceptional teams with deep pockets, but these sides are also managed by top coaches. Unfortunately, such exposure lures in big players from all over the world, often leaving homegrown talents in the cold.

While some home players take the bold step of leaving the country in search of regular football, others stay put with English clubs. Today, we will take a look at players from the former category and tell you which English players are making it big outside the Premier League.


#5 Chris Smalling - AS Roma

AS Roma v Spezia Calcio - Serie A
AS Roma v Spezia Calcio - Serie A

Former Manchester United star Chris Smalling has made himself quite comfortable at AS Roma. He first joined the Italian outfit on a loan deal from the Red Devils back in 2019 before making the switch permanent last year. In his debut season at Roma, back in 2019-20, he emerged as one of the team’s first-choice centre-backs, adding steel to the club's often shaky defense.

Last season, he missed quite a few matches due to knee and muscular problems and the trend has continued this season as well. The Englishman missed the opening three Serie A matches of the campaign with a hamstring injury. Smalling slowly regained his confidence before getting injured again, this time missing five matches.

Since recovering from that setback in November, Smalling has been exceptionally dependable at the back. He has scored two goals in his last two Serie A matches and is currently in contention to start against Sampdoria on matchday 19.


#4 Tammy Abraham - AS Roma

Atalanta BC v AS Roma - Serie A
Atalanta BC v AS Roma - Serie A

AS Roma coach Jose Mourinho has always had a soft spot for quick, athletic attackers. At Real Madrid, the Portuguese turned Cristiano Ronaldo into an unstoppable goalscoring machine. Now, at Roma, he is trying to use the same formula on former Chelsea man Tammy Abraham.

The youngster caught everyone’s attention even before graduating from the Chelsea academy. His pace, footballing intelligence, and tenacity were lauded by many and soon won him a couple of shots with the senior team.

Abraham did try to make the most of his opportunities, but was not promised first-team football. Looking for regular action, Abraham joined Roma permanently for €40 million in the summer of 2021.

Under Mourinho, Abraham has thrived as the team’s center-forward. He has been able to stretch his legs, is allowed to shoot from range, and regularly contributes to Roma’s build-up play.

In 24 appearances across all competitions, Abraham has netted 12 goals and provided three assists.

#3 Fikayo Tomori - AC Milan

AC Milan v Liverpool FC: Group B - UEFA Champions League
AC Milan v Liverpool FC: Group B - UEFA Champions League

AC Milan centre-back Fikayo Tomori has been one of the breakthrough performers in Serie A this season. The former Chelsea player is a strong, front-footed defender who loves to use physical strength to outmuscle the opposition.

Tomori’s also capable of playing as a full-back and has already demonstrated his versatility by playing as a right-back a couple of times for Milan. The 24-year-old is often the first defender to rush off his line and challenge the ball carrier, which tends to leave the defense vulnerable.

However, thanks to his pace, the Englishman atones for his sins quicker than most.

If he keeps this up, the likes of John Stones and Harry Maguire will have a new threat to deal with in the national team.


#2 Kieran Trippier - Atletico Madrid

Andorra v England - 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier
Andorra v England - 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier

The England national team is full of high-profile full-backs right now. Trent Alexander-Arnold has locked down the right-back role thanks to his exceptional work with Liverpool. However, the youngster’s brilliance should be no reason to overlook the solidity Kieran Trippier brings to the table.

Trippier first made a name for himself during his stay at Burnley. His pace and decision-making made many top English clubs take notice, and Tottenham Hotspur were the first to pounce in 2015.

Over the next four years, Trippier put in multiple man-of-the-match performances, scoring twice and making 24 assists along the way.

Atletico Madrid signed the Englishman in 2019 as their first-choice right-back. Trippier has looked even more composed in Diego Simeone’s system and played a key role in Atletico’s La Liga triumph in the 2020-21 campaign.


#1 Jude Bellingham - Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund v SpVgg Greuther Fürth - Bundesliga
Borussia Dortmund v SpVgg Greuther Fürth - Bundesliga

Borussia Dortmund starlet Jude Bellingham is one of the best young players in Europe right now. The Englishman has the perfect combination of poise and explosiveness, which is rare for a player his age.

Aged 16 years and 34 days, Bellingham became the youngest ever player to play for Championship side Birmingham. His work on the ball was soon spotted by some of the elite scouts in Europe and a bidding war ensued.

Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund won the race for the teenager and brought him to Signal Iduna Park in 2020.

Then-manager Lucien Favre lauded Bellingham for his presence in the middle, versatility and knack for shuffling between the lines.

Dortmund coach Marco Rose has used him as a central midfielder this season and has made the role his own. Bellingham has made 24 appearances for Dortmund in 2021-22, bagging three goals and nine assists.

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Edited by Samya Majumdar