Ranking the 5 best French footballers in the Premier League right now

Current world champions France have an enviable roster of talented footballers at their disposal. The Premier League, being one of the biggest leagues in the world, has the privilege of fielding several talented French footballers.

Thierry Henry, Nicolas Anelka, Robert Pires, Eric Cantona, Sylvain Distin, Patrick Vieira - many top Frenchmen have plied their trade in the Premier League. And seeing the love story continue is hardly a surprise.

The current crop of French footballers in the Premier League may not be as legendary as its predecessor, but there are some world-beaters out there.

Today, we will take a quick look at those talented French individuals in the Premier League, picking out the best of the bunch. Without further ado, let's check out the top-five French footballers in the Premier League right now.

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#5 Tanguy Ndombele - Tottenham Hotspur

Tanguy Ndombele joined Spurs from Lyon in the summer of 2019

Tanguy Ndombele is one of the most unpredictable players in the Premier League. He is brilliant yet frustrating and is capable of keeping fans and doubters on their toes at all times.

The Tottenham Hotspur man, who was a regular in the Premier League last term, has featured only twice this season - in the defeats to Crystal Palace and Chelsea, respectively.

Ndombele may not be a starter yet under his coach Nuno Espirito Santo, but he has the potential to become an indispensable asset.

He can intercept, can shoot from outside the box, and has endless stamina. To get out of the slump of three consecutive defeats, Tottenham must think outside the box and giving Ndombele a prominent chance is a no-brainer.

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#4 Hugo Lloris - Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City - Premier League

Under Nuno Espirito Santo, Tottenham Hotspur kicked off the 2021-22 Premier League campaign in fine fashion, bagging three successive wins.

The next three matchdays have poured all their initial efforts down the drain, highlighting all their vulnerabilities and leaving them with three consecutive defeats. Amid the doom and gloom, it is their ever-reliable goalkeeper who has offered some respite.

France international Hugo Lloris has been with Tottenham Hotspur since the summer of 2012. He has not won a Premier League title yet, but that is not for lack of trying.

The 2018 World Cup winner has conceded nine goals and kept three clean sheets in six Premier League matches this season. And while the numbers are far from impressive, it was Lloris’ heroics that allowed Tottenham to string up three consecutive wins.

#3 Paul Pogba - Manchester United

Manchester United v Villarreal CF: Group F - UEFA Champions League

The Premier League is blessed with some top-tier central midfielders, and Manchester United man Paul Pogba is right up there with the very best.

Pogba’s first Premier League spell with Manchester United was far from impressive and he was eventually shipped off to Juventus. He returned to Old Trafford in 2016 and has been a regular first-team player since.

Pogba’s work ethic and consistency have come into question time and again, but the Frenchman has rarely disappointed when push comes to shove. Pogba is enjoying an explosive start to the Premier League campaign this term.

He has already recorded seven assists in six Premier League games and is currently the leading assist provider in the league.

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#2 Raphael Varane - Manchester United

Manchester United v Aston Villa - Premier League

Unlike most players on our list, Raphael Varane is not exactly a veteran of the English Premier League. He was signed by Manchester United in the 2021 summer transfer window and has only featured in four Premier League games for the club. Unsurprisingly, he has been mighty impressive in almost all of them.

The Frenchman has spent most of his career at Real Madrid. He joined Los Blancos as a teenager and eventually became one of the first names on the team sheet.

He helped the club to three La Ligas, four Champions League titles and a Copa del Rey amongst other trophies, cementing his name in history.

At Manchester United, he does not have the luxury of taking pointers from Spanish legend Sergio Ramos. Varane will be required to forge his own path and ascend as one of Premier League’s best centre-backs.

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#1 N’Golo Kante - Chelsea

Chelsea v Aston Villa - Carabao Cup Third Round

Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante is arguably the best French footballer in the Premier League right now. The 2018 World Cup winner is an asset to both France's national football team and Chelsea, meaning neither are at their best without him.

The 30-year-old central midfielder first broke cover at Leicester City. He was one of the pivotal forces behind the Foxes’ 2015-16 successful Premier League campaign, which prompted Chelsea to go after the French midfielder.

He was an instant hit at Chelsea and helped them to the Premier League title in the 2016-17 season.

Since signing for the Blues, he has won 2020-21 Champions League, 2018-19 Europa League, the 2018 FA Cup and 2021-22 UEFA Super Cup. He has played four Premier League games this season, scoring once.