Very few Englishmen decide to make the move abroad, but why exactly is that the case?
England's national team at the 2018 World Cup stood out for one glaring reason: they were the only squad without a single overseas player.
Contrast this with tournament winners France, boasting players from five different countries, or runners-up Croatia, with talent spread across eleven leagues. Even minnows Iceland had a squad playing in a staggering fourteen different countries.
This has since changed slightly, with stars such as Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane currently plying their trade abroad, but it's still a rarity to see an England international make the move abroad.
This begs the question: in an era of globalised football, why are English players so reluctant to venture abroad? It's a complex issue, with reasons ranging from financial dominance to historical precedent and even a touch of linguistic laziness.
Getty ImagesMoney Talks: Premier League riches keep stars at home
Let's face it: money is a major motivator. The Premier League reigns supreme as the highest-paying league in the world. In 2019, total annual expenditure on player and staff salaries reached a staggering £2.9 billion. This dwarfs the wages offered in La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1, or the Bundesliga. While giants like Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG, Juventus, and Bayern Munich can compete at the very top, the financial disparity becomes truly stark when comparing the Premier League's mid-table and lower-ranked teams.
Consider this: Crystal Palace, a team consistently finishing in the bottom half of the Premier League, boasts a wage bill exceeding that of for example Atalanta and Udinese combined. That's a Premier League team with a bigger wage bill than two reasonable Serie A teams combined.
The Championship, too, is a financial powerhouse. The best-paid players in England's second tier earn a reported £80,000 per week, and over 150 players rake in an annual salary of almost £800,000. No other second division globally even comes close. With such vast sums of money swirling around at all levels of the English game, it's easy to see why players from around the world flock to England and why English players have little incentive to leave. Why would you actively choose to reduce your income?
AdvertisementAFPHistorical baggage: A lack of overseas aspiration
Beyond the financial lure, there's a historical element. While Brazilians dream of playing for Real Madrid or Barcelona, and Norwegians aspire to Premier League glory thanks to the trail blazed by legends like Ole Gunnar Solskjær, English players typically grow up dreaming of playing for Liverpool or Manchester United. There isn't the same ingrained connection to or motivation to pursue a career abroad.
Real Madrid and Barcelona, however, remain exceptions. Their global stature and immense resources have attracted the likes of Laurie Cunningham, Steve McManaman, Jonathan Woodgate, Michael Owen, David Beckham and Gareth Bale. Beckham, in particular, has played in leagues across the world and his move to Real Madrid sparked the interest of many budding English footballers.
Language barriers and a lack of adaptability
A significant hurdle is the lack of adaptability and poor language skills of many English players. The UK's education system and a sense of national arrogance contribute to a reluctance to learn other languages. The United Kingdom and North Korea are likely the two most monolingual societies on earth.
While English is widely spoken, the major footballing nations don't predominantly speak it. English players often flock to the USA or Australia, where the language barrier is absent, but these leagues don't offer the same level of competition as Europe's top divisions.
Language is crucial for communication and integration, and for footballers where communication is key, it's even more important. Players who do venture abroad often struggle with homesickness, fail to adapt, and return home relatively quickly. Michael Owen spoke of his difficulties adapting to life in Madrid, which is not something that all the money in the world can solve.
Even Gareth Bale, a major success at Real Madrid, faced criticism for his Spanish skills and perceived disinterest in embracing the local culture. These experiences, whether fair or not, create a perception that deters others from taking the plunge.
Getty Images SportBrexit and beyond: A changing landscape?
English players are typically expensive, have a reputation for struggling to settle, and are often perceived as lacking the technical and tactical skills required for leagues like La Liga or Serie A. Brexit has further complicated matters, making it more difficult for less established players to move to Europe.
However, the tide may be turning. The most recent England squad featured three players based outside the UK: Kieran Trippier, Jude Bellingham, and Jadon Sancho. Sancho's move to Borussia Dortmund, in particular, has been a resounding success, demonstrating that young players can thrive abroad. His success is an example to any other aspiring footballer.
Other young talents like Reiss Nelson, Rhys Oxford, and Ademola Lookman have also gained experience in Europe. Senior players like Ashley Young and Aaron Ramsey have enjoyed success in Italy. This relative success is changing perceptions of British players and making them a more attractive target for European clubs.
Ultimately, moving to a new club, city, and country is challenging, even with a solid grasp of the language. When you factor in earning less money, a lack of language skills, and the upheaval of uprooting a family, it's understandable why many English players are hesitant to play abroad. However, as other nations and a handful of English players have demonstrated, that experience can be invaluable for personal development and for the national team's prospects.
