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Writer's pictureBen Painter

English Players Abroad XI

English players generally like to stay in England, many players in the past like David Beckham, Kevin Keegan, Gary Lineker and Owen Hargreaves have all applied their trade abroad.


But throughout the years the best players have remained and have has their best years in the country.


However, there has been a recent resurgence of young English players going abroad to get more experience and even some of the more experienced English players.


This list does not include playing in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland as abroad.


Here is the best XI of English players currently playing abroad:

 

GK - Jonathan Bond - LA Galaxy

Jonathan Bond moved to LA Galaxy in the MLS this season, after many years playing mainly as a back up keeper or out on loan in England.


Bond, who has a US Passport will qualify as a domestic player in the MLS which will suit the American side well.


The MLS is yet to start for the 2021 season so Bond has not yet played a game over in the states.

 

RB - Kieran Tripper - Atletico Madrid

The fullback moved to Spain with Atletico Madrid in July 2019 after time in England with Manchester City, Barnsley, Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur.


One of many great right backs currently at England's disposal, Tripper is still in the England squad despite playing abroad.


Atletico are currently top of the table in La Liga and it looks like Tripper could be on to win his first piece of silverware - Trippier is currently banned from football however for a breach in betting rules.

 

CB - Fikayo Tomori - AC Milan (on loan from Chelsea)

Tomori joined AC Milan on loan from Chelsea but with an option to buy in January 2021, after finding it hard to break into the Chelsea side after breaking through the following season.


He has played four times for AC Milan thus far and is still an option for England having played once against Kosovo.


The central defender was actually born in Canada but has now been cap tied having played a competitive game for the Three Lions and his time in Italy could convince Gareth Southgate for a spot at the upcoming Euros.

 

CB - Chris Smalling - AS Roma

After 10 years at Manchester United, Smalling found himself out of the side and joined AS Roma in 2019 on loan.


He done very well Roma and became a fan favourite earning the nickname 'Smalldini' prompting the Italian side to buy him a year later for €15million.


Smalling has had 31 appearances for England but his last cap came in 2017 and he could be an outside chance for the Euro squad if his good form continues.

 

LB - Ryan Sessegnon - Hoffenheim (on loan from Tottenham)

Sessegnon done very well at a young age for Fulham in the Championship, earning the Championship player of the season and young player of the season in 2018.


He moved to Tottenham in 2019 for £25million, but struggled to really get into the side and moved to Hoffenheim in Germany at the start of this season.


Capable for playing at left back and further forward he has done well for Hoffenheim, earning the November player of the month.


He has yet to earn a senior England cap, but is always present in the Under 21 side and at just 20 years old he has a lot of time to grow and develop.

 

CM - Jamal Musiala - Bayern Munich

Musiala was born in Germany but moved to England as a child and then back to Germany as a teenager, he played for Chelsea's youth team for seven years.


The attacking midfielder is just 17 and has already played 25 times and scored three goals for Bayern Munich showing maturity beyond his years.


He has played for both England and Germany youth squads but most recently for the England Under 21s - there is rumours, however, that he is going to chose Germany.

 

CM - Jude Bellingham - Borussia Dortmund

Bellingham moved to Dortmund in 2020, following the path of Jadon Sancho, and has been present in their side.


The midfielder played well for Birmingham City in the Championship catching the eye of pretty much every big team, but he chose to go Germany.


He has played 29 times and scored once for Dortmund at just 17 years of age and even earned a senior call up to the England team becoming the nations third ever youngest player.

 

RM - Jadon Sancho - Borussia Dortmund

Sancho was the real first young player who decided to go abroad instead of playing youth football and it has payed off.


On the books at Manchester City, he moved to Dortmund in 2017 and has played over 100 games and scored 44 goals.


He's played 18 times for England and scored three time, still just at 20 years old he has a very good career lined up for him for club and country.

 

CAM - Demarai Gray - Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Another player starting life at Birmingham City, he moved to Leicester in 2016 after impressing in the Championship, and won the Premier League title that year.


He played consistently for Leicester for the next four seasons, but found himself out of the side this season and now at 24 he needed to play more regularly.


With his contract up at the end of the season he joined Leverkusen in Germany in January permanently and has played three games, scoring once.


Gray is a promising player, mainly playing on the left but capable in the 10 and on the right, he has been in the England squad, but failed to make a cap. - he could be an option for Southgate if he continues to perform in Germany.

 

LM - Ashley Young - Inter Milan

Young started his career with Watford then moved to Aston Villa and then to Manchester United where he was mostly known.


Typically a left winger, he found home at full back in his later days for United and after nine years he moved on to Italy at 34 in January 2020.


He has been used as a wing back on either flank for Inter Milan and has been a regular starter despite being now 35.


Young has played 39 games for England scored seven times, and hasn't officially retired but at his age there is little chance he is making the England squad again.

 

ST - Bradley Wright-Phillips - Columbus Crew

Son of England great Ian Wright, Bradley played mainly in the lower leagues of England after starting off in the Premier League with Manchester City.


He moved to North America in the MLS with New York Red Bulls in 2013 and spent seven seasons with them becoming probably the best striker in the league during his time there.


Wright-Phillips is the sixth all time leading goalscorer in the MLS with 116 goals and now plays for Columbus Crew having spent a season with Los Angeles FC.

 


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