Ligue 1 has long served as a breeding ground for talent that goes on to shine in other leagues. The Premier League, in particular, has benefited greatly from players honing their skills in France before moving across the Channel. Many have not just played in England but have become legends. Here we look at five notable players who made a significant impact in the Premier League after starting their careers or making their name in Ligue 1.
Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard, a French champion with Lille in 2011, departed Ligue 1 in 2012 shortly after receiving his second consecutive UNFP Player of the Season award. He transferred to Chelsea, embarking on a seven-year spell where he featured in 351 games, netted 110 goals, and secured six major trophies, including two Premier League titles and two Europa Leagues.
Hazard established himself as a Chelsea icon and a truly legendary figure in the modern Premier League era.
N`Golo Kanté
In 2015, a 24-year-old N`Golo Kanté quietly moved from Caen to join Leicester City, a team widely tipped for a relegation battle in the 2015-2016 Premier League season. Just ten months later, in a story that captivated the football world, Kanté was an integral part of the Leicester squad that lifted the Premier League trophy. His incredible engine and defensive prowess were crucial to their fairytale success.
The following season, he joined Chelsea, where he continued to excel until 2023, playing 269 matches and adding another Premier League title and the prestigious 2021 Champions League to his accolades.
Hugo Lloris
A fixture in the Premier League for over a decade, Hugo Lloris spent eleven seasons as the cornerstone of Tottenham Hotspur`s defense in London. After making his breakthrough at Nice and spending four successful seasons at Lyon, the former French national team captain made the switch to Spurs.
Over his illustrious career at the club, Lloris made 447 appearances and became the first player in Tottenham`s history to reach 300 Premier League matches. His longevity and performance cemented his status as another Ligue 1 export who truly dominated the English top flight.
Samir Nasri
Known as the `little prince` during his time at his boyhood club Marseille, Samir Nasri departed Ligue 1 after four seasons, leaving the year after being named UNFP Young Player of the Year for 2006-2007. At 21, he joined Arsenal in 2008.
Following a three-year spell with the Gunners, Nasri moved to Manchester City in a transfer worth 30 million euros, making him the most expensive French player at that time. He spent six years with City, playing a key role in their Premier League title wins in 2012 and 2014. Nasri is widely regarded as one of the standout foreign players to have graced the Premier League in the 21st century.
Thierry Henry
An absolute icon. Thierry Henry`s time at Arsenal spanned eight seasons, during which he scored an incredible 226 goals in 370 appearances and lifted the Premier League title twice, famously including the `Invincibles` season of 2003-2004 where Arsenal went unbeaten in the league.
For many, Henry is not just one of the best foreign players, but arguably the greatest foreign player in the entire history of the English championship. Developed at Monaco, Henry had a brief spell at Juventus before his transformative move to North London in 1999.
These five players represent just a selection of the exceptional talent that has transitioned from Ligue 1 to achieve remarkable success and legendary status in the Premier League, underscoring the quality of football and player development in France.
