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The French have always been one of the most influential and important part of any historic event, from sports to politics. This article shows how the French have influenced and improved English football and talks all about the French Connections in the United Kingdom. They have been an integral part of English Football and will continue to hold on to this place thanks to their natural talent and amazing abilities.
Let’s take a look at some of the most influential players and managers the French have gifted to the EPL.
Arsene Wenger
A legend at Arsenal, one of the most successful managers and the longest serving manager for the Gunners, this Frenchman has certainly taught the Premier League how to play beautiful, fluid and attractive football. His approach to the game emphasises an attacking mentality, with the aim that football ought to be entertaining on the pitch. “Le Professor” as he is also known, has led Arsenal to 11 trophies. In the 2003-04 season, he and his team of “invincibles” created history by becoming the first Premier League team to win the title without a single defeat! They had an unprecedented run of 49 games unbeaten. This man had done what no other manager has been able to do.
Many Football pundits give Wenger credit for his contribution to the revolution of Football in England in the late 1990s, through the introduction of changes in the training and diet of players. He brought in discipline within the club. Holding an MBA in Economics, he certainly knows how to handle the club’s finances and has been one of the most economically shrewd managers. Under his reign, the Gunners have moved to a new stadium, have a new training ground and have been breeding some world class talent. They have always been in the top 4 and have not missed a Champions League qualification.
He was awarded France’s highest decoration, the Legion d’Honneur in 2002, he was inducted into the English Football Hall Of Fame in 2006 and in 2011, he was voted as the World Coach Of the Decade.
Eric Cantona
This eccentric Frenchman is one of the most influential figures in the game. He changed the way the Premier League games were being played and was the main reason why many new and innovative defensive strategies and formations came up. He influenced the game on and off the pitch. He was appropriately named “La Roi” or “The King” and created tremors whenever he walked onto the football pitch. His skills were impeccable and he was one of the most feared strikers. He sent managers scattering back to the thinking boards to chalk out some of the wildest and innovative strategies to stop him from scoring and thus created a trend of changing tactics and players to suit different games and different players. He created immense pressure on defenders and managers and hence the opposition had to make sure their players were in top condition to deal with this goal machine. The had to be strong physically and mentally, giving rise to the new age defenders. He made sure English teams (Manchester United specially) represented the country in major European competitions as strong contenders. He won several awards in England including one for overseas player of the decade. He was also inducted into the English Football hall of Fame in 2002.
Thierry Henry
The powerful Frenchman is the very epitome of influence in English Football. He was a prolific goal scorer and was always committed to his cause. He was always dangerous in front of goal and deadly when it came to one on one situations. The great striker is also known for his humility and positive attitude and was the face of Arsenal’s fluid and beautiful way of playing football. He was the top goal scorer in the EPL for a record 4 seasons and has been a constant name in many a Team of the Year and Decade and was declared by Arsenal fans as the greatest ever Arsenal player. This legend was the face of change in English football, from older methods of scoring to innovative finishing.
Patrick Vieira
This French Midfielder of French descent was ruthless, strong and the engine of the Arsenal midfield. He was not the type of player anybody wanted to mess with and was often in disciplinary troubles, but more than made up for it with his performances when required. He captained the “invincible” team that won the league in 2004 without being beaten. He was a brilliant representative of the game and made sure his team was never bullied by any other team. He was always at the forefront, leading his team onto glory. He made it no secret that he wanted victory and nothing else and would do anything to earn that victory. He was a brilliant ambassador for the English league thanks to his performances and stunning displays in the middle of the park.
The French connection continues in the United Kingdom more strongly than ever with almost every top team boasting off a top class French player. In the recent transfer window, Newcastle United signed 5 French footballers to add to the ever growing number of French players in the Premier league.
