French Talent Making Its Mark on the Premier League This Season

For decades, we have seen how French players have influenced English football. Just a few names include the likes of Eric Cantona, David Ginola, Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, and N'Golo Kante. For the upcoming 2026/27 season, the names may have changed, but the impact is just as important. Take a look at France's 2026 World Cup squad, and you'll find seven players based in the EPL. This shows just how important English football is to the national team, as well as how much English football needs foreign talent.

William Saliba is a Premier League champion with Arsenal, Rayan Cherki is part of a new era at Manchester City, and Hugo Ekitiké has become an important attacking option for Liverpool. Elsewhere, Ibrahima Konaté, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Maxence Lacroix and Malo Gusto give France a presence across clubs with very different ambitions this season.

William Saliba Is Central to Arsenal's Title Defence

Saliba comes into the season as perhaps the most established French player in England. Initially, he struggled to get himself into Arsenal's first team when he moved from Saint-Etienne, but he has now become a central part of Arteta's defence and is a regular France international.

His importance only grew when Arsenal won the 2025/26 Premier League title. Saliba's pace allows Arsenal to defend higher up the pitch, while his composure in possession helps the champions build attacks from defence. His ability to defend one-on-one also gives the players ahead of him greater freedom to press opponents.

The challenge for Saliba, and Arsenal as a whole, is now retaining the championship. Arsenal have kept the core of their title-winning squad together while adding Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle. This gives Arteta another high-quality midfield option. That relative stability is one reason Arsenal feature prominently in discussions around soccer betting ahead of the campaign, particularly when several of their closest rivals are adjusting to new managers.

Saliba's availability will be important across another demanding domestic and European season. At 25, he is now coming into what should be the prime years of his career with both club and country.

Rayan Cherki Has More to Offer Manchester City

It was back in June 2025 that Rayan Cherki joined Man City from Lyon. At that time, he had shown himself to be one of Ligue 1's most technically gifted young attackers. In his first season, he received a kind of introduction to English football. Now, however, the situation around him has changed significantly.

Pep Guardiola has left City after a decade in charge, with Enzo Maresca taking over. That managerial change creates opportunities for players who weren't always guaranteed major roles under Guardiola, and Cherki is among those who could benefit.

The 23-year-old has shown that he can operate centrally or from wider attacking positions, giving Maresca flexibility. He is particularly effective when receiving possession in crowded areas, where his close control and passing allow him to create opportunities around the penalty box.

Cherki was also part of France's 2026 World Cup squad, confirming that his move to England hasn't prevented him from progressing internationally. City still have considerable competition for attacking places, so his next challenge is producing consistently enough to become a regular starter for the side.

Hugo Ekitiké Is Developing at Liverpool

Hugo Ekitiké took a less direct route to the Premier League. He emerged at Reims before joining Paris Saint-Germain, but it was his subsequent move to Eintracht Frankfurt that really accelerated his career. Liverpool then brought him to Anfield in 2025.

This is a player who is much more than a penalty-box striker. Standing at 1.90 metres in height, his size means that he can physically compete with centre-backs in the EPL. He is also comfortable moving away from the central position, as he carries the ball and combines with teammates.

His progress earned recognition with France. Ekitiké scored during the country's successful qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup, including in the 4-0 victory over Ukraine that secured France's place at the tournament.

The expectations at Liverpool mean that it is a demanding club for any forward. While goals are a must, Ekitiké has numerous ways that he can contribute to the side. An added bonus is that he is just 24 years old, meaning that he has plenty of time to develop further.

Ibrahima Konaté Provides Experience at Anfield

Ekitiké isn't Liverpool's only prominent French player. Ibrahima Konaté has been at the club since arriving from RB Leipzig in 2021 and has accumulated extensive experience in the Premier League, Champions League and international football.

He has real physical qualities, and these make him well-suited to the style of football played in England. The strength that he has means that he can compete against some of the most powerful centre-forwards, and he has the pace needed to defend the space behind Liverpool's back line at the times the team pushes forward.

Fitness has been a slight issue for him during his time at Liverpool, but when he's available, he is an important option. The fact that Ekitiké is alongside him means that Liverpool now benefits from influential French players at both ends of the pitch.

Jean-Philippe Mateta Has Earned His Opportunity

Jean-Philippe Mateta's route into the France squad has been very different. The Crystal Palace striker wasn't viewed as one of France's leading prospects when he arrived in England, but his performances in the Premier League eventually forced him into the international scene.

He has become a real focal point for Palace. He has real strength that means he can hold possession against centre-backs. His time in England has also seen him improve his movement and finishing, turning him into a highly valued player.

That form was rewarded with a spot in France's 2026 World Cup squad. Competition for attacking positions is intense, making his inclusion a significant achievement for a player who had spent much of his career outside the international spotlight.

Mateta's progress also shows that French influence in the Premier League isn't restricted to clubs challenging for the title. Palace have provided him with the environment to develop into an international striker while becoming increasingly important to their own attack.

Maxence Lacroix Is Another Palace Success

Mateta was joined in France's World Cup squad by Crystal Palace teammate Maxence Lacroix. The defender moved to England from Wolfsburg and has developed into another credible option in a particularly strong generation of French centre-backs.

Lacroix's pace is one of his most useful attributes. Modern Premier League defenders regularly need to get involved with action well away from their own penalty area, particularly when their teams press higher up the pitch. The ability to recover against quick forwards can be crucial.

Breaking into the France setup is less than easy for a centre-back. Saliba and Konaté are already established Premier League players, while France also have leading defenders playing elsewhere in Europe. Lacroix earning international recognition reflects the standard of his performances at Palace.

The new season gives him the chance to consolidate that progress. Another strong Premier League campaign could turn his recent international breakthrough into a regular place around the France squad.

Malo Gusto Can Take Another Step at Chelsea

Malo Gusto is another product of Lyon who has established himself in England. Chelsea signed the right-back while he was still developing in France, and he has since gained considerable Premier League experience despite being only 23.

His attacking ability suits a Chelsea team expected to spend significant periods in possession. Gusto can provide width, overlap attacking players and contribute deliveries from advanced positions, although competition for places remains considerable.

Chelsea themselves are beginning another new era after appointing Xabi Alonso. Following a 10th-place finish last season, the club has invested heavily again and will expect to return towards the European positions.

French Influence Goes Beyond the Biggest Clubs

The presence of French players throughout the Premier League is notable because they aren't concentrated in one type of team. Saliba is trying to defend the title with Arsenal, Cherki is part of Manchester City's post-Guardiola transition, and Liverpool have French internationals in both defence and attack.

At Crystal Palace, Mateta and Lacroix have used their Premier League performances to earn international recognition, while Gusto continues his development at Chelsea. Experienced French players elsewhere in the division add further depth.

That spread also reflects the longstanding relationship between English clubs and French football. Ligue 1 continues to produce technically strong young players, while Premier League clubs have the financial resources to recruit them before or during their peak years.

The 2026/27 season provides another opportunity for this group to add to that history. Saliba already has a championship to defend, Cherki has a larger role to chase, and Ekitiké is still developing at Liverpool, while several others are attempting to strengthen their positions with France. French football's connection with the Premier League remains as important as it has ever been.