Sport
Who are the best French players in Premier League history?
With just 22 miles separating England from France, it’s not too surprising to see why so many French players have plied their trade in the Premier League. Having been one of the top footballing nations in recent memory, many of France’s top stars have made an appearance in the English top flight. The best French imports have become folk heroes which fans still worship to this day. So who are the greatest French players in Premier League history?
10 best Franch players in Premier League history
Hugo Lloris
For many Spurs fans, Hugo Lloris has been one of the most consistent figures in their squad for the best part of a decade. Having signed from Lyon in 2012, the much-hyped Frenchman quickly usurped Brad Friedel as number one in North London thanks to his excellent speed, reactions and good distribution skills.
His consistency between the sticks has earnt almost 300 appearances for Spurs in the league and helped them morph into a Champions League-calibre club. With his longevity has come respect from fans across English football who still see Lloris as one of the finest keepers to ever play in the Premier League.
David Ginola
There was no escaping David Ginola at the turn of the century thanks to his unforgettable l’Oreal adverts. Whilst he dazzled on the screen, he also wowed fans on the pitch whenever he got the ball. Ginola was one of the most underrated playmakers of his generation able to effortlessly pick out passes from anywhere on the pitch. He was a set-piece specialist too with both his corners and free-kicks generating substantial whip creating havoc in the box.
Ginola’s form earned him many plaudits including 2x Premier League Player of the Month Awards, the 1999 PFA Players’ Player of the Year Award and a spot in the 1996 FIFA XI. With no less than 5 different clubs drooling at Ginola’s skillset, you could say he really was worth it no matter where he played.
Marcel Desailly
No team can win trophies without having a top defender marshalling their backline. For Chelsea, that role fell to Marcel Desailly to command as he helped Chelsea transform into league champions. Desailly’s aerial ability and physicality made him a handful for strikers to get past and he was never one to back out of perfectly timed tackles leaving his opponents often worse for wear. This made him one of the top defenders anywhere in world football and help tutor the likes of John Terry as they rose to prominence at the club.
Whilst Desailly left the season before Chelsea won their first title in 2005, his efforts had not gone unnoticed. The Frenchman earned himself a spot in the overall Premier League Team of the Decade in 2002 which celebrated the best players in the first 10 years of the Premier League existence. A real accolade for someone who was only halfway through his stint in England at the time and certainly worthy of a place in our list of the best French players in Premier League history.
Patrice Evra
In the mid-2000s, France was producing some of the best full-backs in the world. Perhaps the best of them was Patrice Evra who shone for Manchester United for 8 whole seasons. It was Evra’s attacking drive that made him difficult to contend with as his lightning pace and endless stamina saw him on the go for the whole 90 minutes. He was never shy to back out of tackles either making him a favourite of both fans and teammates alike.
It was this steely grit that helped Evra become a mainstay at Old Trafford and be a part of no less than 5x Premier League winning teams. His own contributions weren’t forgotten either as he earned 3x Premier League Team of the Year nominations as well as a spot in the 2009 Fifpro World XI squad.
Claude Makelele
Many players have flourished as midfield anchors in their career but few have been as fondly remembered as Claude Makelele has. Makelele thrived in this role as he had tackling and anticipation skills that rivalled many of the best outright defenders in the 2000s Premier League era. Yet, he had all the passing and visionary skills that complemented many of the best playmakers too making him a pivotal part of Chelsea’s success under Jose Mourinho.
Makelele also hardly missed matches making him the ticking metronome that turned Stamford Bridge into a fortress for The Blues. In his 5 seasons with Chelsea, Makelele won 2x Premier League titles and was voted the team’s Player of the Year in 2006. With many fans still citing him as one of their best players of all time, Makelele is a true cult hero to many in West London and comfortably among the best French players in Premier League history.
Eric Cantona
It’s safe to say that Eric Cantona was easily one of the first breakout stars of the Premier League era. The Frenchman had charisma and leadership that fans adored whenever he took to the pitch. He also had a ruthless finishing ability that few could match. His driving runs and dogged determination always meant he was on the hunt for goals for both Leeds and Manchester United.
His thirst for goals helped Manchester United to win 4x Premier League titles during his time there where he was Player of the Year twice at Old Trafford. When he quit football for acting in 1997, his presence was missed across the country so it wasn’t too surprising to see Cantona named as part of the PFA Team of the Century in 2007 celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the organisation.
Nicolas Anelka
Very few players have travelled to as many clubs as what Nicolas Anelka did. Never keen to stay too long in one destination, Anelka played for no less than 6 different English clubs. Whilst many may not remember his spells with Liverpool or West Brom, Anelka was a leading talisman for Arsenal, Bolton and Chelsea on his day. His pace and finishing ability was exquisite allowing him to finish chances with ease from anywhere within the area.
Anelka’s best return was during the 2008/09 season with Chelsea where he scored 19 goals in 38 appearances winning the Golden Boot that season. It would lay the foundations for him to win the Premier League the following season with Chelsea adding to the title he won with Arsenal during the 1997/98 campaign. Add to the mix 2xPremier League Player of the Months awards and the 1999 PFA Young Player of the Year Award and it proved to be an extremely successful career for Anelka.
Robert Pires
Whilst some thought Robert Pires played referees from time to time, he was arguably one of the best playmakers of his generation. His touch and passing skills were extraordinary allowing him to create chances from almost nothing. He also had a real thirst for goal that made him a major part of Arsenal’s all-star squad in the early 2000s.
In three consecutive seasons, Pires netted 14 goals in a time which helped Arsenal 2 Premier League titles during his time there. His consistency earned him no less than 3xPremier League Team of the Year nominations and a major part of Arsenal folklore for decades to come.
Patrick Vieira
If you ever needed a no-nonsense midfielder to lead your squad, Patrick Vieira would be the man to pick. He was coolness personified yet had a cutting edge that very few players could match. His physical style and tackling made him excellent as a midfield anchor yet he had the pace and passing to drive attacks forward in a heartbeat. His all-round skills made him one of the legendary Premier League captains during his time with Arsenal and he was a vital part to helping The Gunners win 3x Premier League titles whilst at the club.
His consistency has earned him the moniker as one of the all-time great Premier League midfielders with accolades including the 2001 Player of the Season, 6x Premier League Team of the Year nominations and a spot in the English Football Hall of Fame in 2014. A true icon to this day.
Thierry Henry
It’s very hard to find a club-player dynamic than what Thierry Henry had with Arsenal. The maestro of Va Va Voom was easily one of the deadliest strikers of his era scoring goals for fun from almost anywhere on the pitch. His form was remarkable scoring 20+ goals in the league for 5 straight seasons including 30 goals in 37 games as part of “The Invincibles” squad that won the 2003/04 title.
It was this form that led Henry to become Arsenal’s all-time top scorer in a career that won 4xGolden Boot awards, 2xPlayer of the Season Awards and a spot in both the English and Premier League Hall of Fames. Henry was also forever immortalized outside the Emirates Stadium in 2011 with a bronze statue dedicated in his honour shortly after his second stint with the club had finished. Henry is arguably the finest player in Premier League history, let alone one of the best French players.
You could earn up to £10 (or currency equivalent) in bonus funds by joining Colossus with our New Player Bonus. Click here to join the action.
