Top 20 Best French Footballers in Premier League History | Ranked

France is a land of arts when it comes to producing the best footballers. Over the last 30-40 odd years, the country has been a breeding ground of top talents who have lit up the biggest tournaments across the world, and some of them have cemented their places as the best French footballers in the history of the Premier League. 

The current best footballers from France such as Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele are dominating the game far away from the English Premier League. Even some of the French football players, who are burdened with high expectations, are dancing around in the biggest club leagues with their scintillating performances week in and week out. The next generation of budding bright has already brought the footballing world to its knees.  However, there were many great French football players, who availed themselves at their painstaking balance after coming to the English shores. At Sportsdunia, we have selected twenty players who gave their best to leave a mark on the history of the English top flight based on several ranking factors noted below.

Ranking Factors

The final order of the list of the best French footballers in the history of the Premier League provides a gentle reminder of how clinical the French superstars were at times. The key factors that decided this tally are:

• Stats in the Premier League
• Premier League titles won
• Influence
• Longevity

List of the Best French Football Players in Premier League All-Time (Top 20)

20. Laurent Blanc

Laurent Blanc might not be a popular figure in the history of the English Premier League, but he will surely go down as one of the most influential French players playing in the English top division. The former Barcelona and Inter Milan center-back played on the shores of England during the twilight of his career, spending two years with Manchester United. He played a pivotal role in France’s 1998 World Cup victory and came under the radar of Alex Ferguson. He joined the Red Devils in 2001 and made 48 appearances on the weekends, winning the 2002-03 Premier League title before his retirement.

Club	Manchester United
No of appearances	48
Goals	1
Notable Titles won	1 Premier League

Also read: 12 Forgotten Footballers Still Playing in 2024

19. Fabian Barthez

Records speak for Fabian Barthez’s worth in the history of football. The former Manchester United goalkeeper was the most capped football player in the World Cup for the French side. He also holds the record of the most clean sheets in the global tournament. Barthez enjoyed a successful career in his entire club career, winning two league titles with the Red Devils during his three-year stint. What made him one of the greatest football players in the Premier League is his leadership qualities.

Club	Manchester United
No of appearances	92
Goals	0
Notable Titles won	2 Premier League titles

18. Frank Leboeuf

Frank Leboeuf was one of those Premier League players from France who displayed a commendable and eccentric character on the pitch during his time as a Chelsea player. The popular centre-back was a mainstay at defence for the Blues for six years and made a whopping 144 appearances in the English top flight. Despite being a defender, he was a constant attacking threat to his opponents. He won it all including the 1998 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, two FA Cups and the 1998 UEFA Super Cup. However, the top division title was an elusive entity for him.

Clubs	Chelsea
No of appearances	144
Goals	17
Notable Titles won	2 FA Cups, 1 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, 1 UEFA Super Cup

17. Olivier Giroud

Olivier Giroud is probably the most underrated French football player to have ever played in the English Premier League. He spent nine years with two of the biggest English clubs – Chelsea and Arsenal and won several major titles with them including four FA Cups and one UEFA Champions League title. Most of his time in the English top flight was spent with the Gunners for whom he played on 180 occasions, racking up 73 goals. 

Clubs	Arsenal, Chelsea
No of appearances	255
Goals	90
Notable Titles won	4 FA Cups, 1 UEFA Champions League, 1 Europa League

16. Hugo Lloris

A list of the best French footballers in the Premier League will always be incomplete without the legendary goalkeeper of Tottenham Hotspur, Hugo Lloris. He was with the North London club when he was at the peak of his career. Despite making 361 appearances in the English top flight, he didn’t win any major trophy with Spurs. However, the 2018 World Cup was definitely one of the cogs in the wheel in the journey of the Premier League outfit.

Clubs	Tottenham Hotspur
No of appearances	361
Goals	0
Notable Titles won	–

15. Louis Saha

One of the most lethal French strikers, Louis Saha joined as a regular in the action-packed football of the Premier League at a very young age from Metz. The 46-year-old forward spent fourteen years playing with some of the major English clubs like Newcastle United, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur before returning to his country. Most Premier League goals came in the jersey of Fulham where he netted 53 goals in just 117 matches. However, he truly exploited English football with Manchester United and won two Premier League titles and one Champions League. 

Clubs	Newcastle United, Fulham, Man United, Everton, Spurs, Sunderland
No of appearances	332
Goals	114
Notable Titles won	2 Premier League titles, 1 Champions League

14. Gael Clichy

A player with unrivalled stamina! This is how we can describe the influence of Gael Clichy in the English top flight. The former Arsenal and Manchester City left-back built a legacy of his own and became one of the best French footballers in the Premier League in an eventful career on English soil, having played more than 14 years. He made 187 appearances with the Gunners and was a part of Arsene Wenger’s Invincibles. Gael Clichy won three Premier League titles before joining Istanbul Basaksehir.

Clubs	Arsenal, Man City
No of appearances	325
Goals	3
Notable Titles won	3 Premier League titles, 2 Community Shields

13. William Gallas

Another notable defender coming to Engage and becoming one of the most influential French footballers was William Gallas. After making a legacy of his own at Marseille, Gallas joined Chelsea in 2001 and played for five years, winning two Premier League titles and the 2004-05 League Cup. Later, he plied his trade with Arsenal from 2006, but couldn’t put a hand on any silverware.

Clubs	Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs
No of appearances	321
Goals	25
Notable Titles won	2 Premier League titles, 1 FA Community Shield

12. Bacary Sagna

Bacary Sagna was an epitome of the defensive art who brought his warrior French mentality with him to Arsenal. From 2007 to 2014, the starting lineup of the Gunners was incomplete without his name as he was a leadership figure in the club’s backline. Sagna made 214 Premier League appearances for Arsenal in seven years and led the London club to the 2013-14 FA Cup title, putting on several match-winning performances throughout the tournament. 

Clubs	Arsenal, Man City
No of appearances	267
Goals	4
Notable Titles won	1 FA Cup, 1 Football League Cup

11. Emmanuel Petit

Emmanuel Petit is another important name on the list of the best French footballers in Premier League history. The then young prodigy of Monaco Youth Academy, got his first taste of the English top flight with Arsenal in 1997, before leading France to the 1998 World Cup glory. His fitness and athleticism allowed him to make 85 appearances for the Gunners in just three years. After lifting one Premier League and one FA Cup title, he joined Chelsea in 2001. Petit’s versatility allowed Arsen Wenger to use him as a defensive midfielder.

Clubs	Arsenal, Chelsea
No of appearances	140
Goals	11
Notable Titles won	1 Premier League title, 1 FA Cup

Also Read: 10 Most Successful Clubs in Premier League History- Ranked

10. Marcel Desailly

Marcel Desailly was signed by Chelsea when he already established himself as a defensive leader at AC Milan. The 1998 World Cup winner certainly lived up to his widely known nickname “Rock” through his great displays at the back. He spent six seasons at Stamford Bridge, but couldn’t lay his hand on any major trophy despite leaving a legacy tied to leadership, calmness and resilience.

Clubs	Chelsea
No of appearances	158
Goals	6
Notable Titles won	1 FA Cup, 1 UEFA Super Cup

9. Nicolas Anelka

A serial winner and scorer, Nicolas Anelka’s impressive career played a great role in cementing his place as one of the best French footballers in the English Premier League. He was one of those few players who had the chance of playing with most of the biggest clubs in England – Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea. The great forward of France scored wherever he went. The Cityzens got the most of his goal-scoring experience as Anelka clocked over 36 goals for the Premier League outfit in just 89 games.  

Clubs	Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea, West Bromwich
No of appearances	311
Goals	104
Notable Titles won	2 Premier League titles, 3 FA Cups

8. Patrice Evra

Forget about France, Patrice Evra is considered one of the best left-backs the Premier League has ever produced. His chemistry with the defensive leader of Rio Ferdinand helped Manchester United to many major tournament successes. Alex Ferguson signed him in 2008 and made him a master of producing overlapping runs and defensive awareness. Overcoming a shaky start to his Premier League career, Evra went on to win five time Premier Leagues champions, establishing himself as one of the greatest football players ever in the English top flight.

Clubs	Man United, West Ham United
No of appearances	278
Goals	7
Notable Titles won	5 Premier League titles, 1 Champions League, 1 FIFA Club World Cup

7. Robert Pires

Robert Pires, one of the crucial members of the “Invincibles”, kept it late to reveal his worth after misfiring in the initial stage. Hailed as one of the most dangerous and best French footballers in the rich history of the Premier League, Pires was a brilliant wide midfielder, without whom Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal would not have the same. He was key to the London club’s attacking success as his clinical finish, creativity and flair led Arsenal to numerous successes.

Clubs	Arsenal, Aston Villa
No of appearances	198
Goals	62
Notable Titles won	2 Premier League titles, 2 FA Cups

6. Claude Makelele

Claude Makelele witnessed the rise of Chelsea Football Club in the English domestic league as he helped them to go strength to strength in their attempt to restore glory. The French playmaker is not only one of the best French players to have ever played in England, but also the reason behind the revolution of the defensive midfield role. His presence just in front of the backline allowed the attackers to show their creative flairs without a cent of worry. In Jose Mourinho’s back-to-back Premier League winning campaigns, Makelele was a brute force.

Clubs	Chelsea
No of appearances	144
Goals	2
Notable Titles won	2 Premier League titles, 1 FA Cup

5. N’Golo Kante

When N’Golo Kante arrived at Chelsea through a shocking transfer from Leicester City, he reminded everyone of Claude Makelele by displaying his relentless running, energy and ball-winning ability. The $7 million dollar midfielder soon became the most beloved man at Stamford because of his humble behaviour, which aided by clinical performances led him to be one of the best French footballers in the Premier League.

Clubs	Leicester City, Chelsea
No of appearances	227
Goals	12
Notable Titles won	2 Premier League titles, 1 Champions League, 1 Europa League, 1 UEFA Super Cup

4. David Ginola

The flamboyant winger of Newcastle United, David Ginola was one of the most creative players with natural attacking ability to have ever graced the stage of the English Premier League. Joining the Magpies in 1995, he lifted the course of the journey of the club in domestic and European football alike through his creative flair and sensational dribbling. After spending several years, Ginola not only became one of the best French footballers in the English top flight, but also left a lasting impression. 

Clubs	Newcastle United, Spurs, Aston Villa
No of appearances	195
Goals	22
Notable Titles won	1 Football League Cup

3. Patrick Vieira

The best midfielder in the Premier League! This is what Arsenal fans will say when you will ask them about Patrick Vieira. The countless success of Arsenal in the late 1990s and early 2000s depended mainly on the French legend who built a wall of defence in the middle of the park. He made the most use of his talent mixed with a blend of strength and power to build a formidable midfield for the Gunners. He was pivotal in Arsene Wenger’s domestic dominance, winning three Premier League titles.

Clubs	Arsenal, Man City
No of appearances	307
Goals	32
Notable Titles won	3 Premier League titles, 4 FA Cups

2. Eric Cantona

One of the few footballers who has transcended football like an artist. Eric Cantona is in the second position on our list of the best French football players in the Premier League. A leader both on and off the pitch, the French icon used to spread terror across the field when he was on a roll. Cantona brought a unique mentality glued with charismatic personality, creativity and hunger for winning to Manchester United and became one of the most stylish players in the history of the Premier League.

Clubs	Leeds United, Man United
No of appearances	171
Goals	73
Notable Titles won	4 Premier League titles, 2 FA Cups

1. Thierry Henry

Arguably the greatest player to have ever played in England, Thierry Henry is our best French footballer in the Premier League history. He was the epitome of football when he was on the move. Fast, quick, creative, brilliant, energetic and stylish – you can call short of adjectives to describe the man who defied description. Before leaving the shores of England, he won multiple major titles including the English top flight and FA Cup. 

Clubs	Arsenal
No of appearances	258
Goals	175
Notable Titles won	2 Premier League titles, 2 FA cups

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