Top 5: Frenchmen to play in the Premier League

2. Eric Cantona

Having to put Cantona at number two was an extremely tough decision and it takes an extremely special player to be named better than him.

The Frenchman only played in the league for five seasons, but he would make those years count as he expressed his incredible footballing ability to the English public. Although he started his English career at Leeds United, it would be at Manchester United where the controversial striker would excel.

During his five-season stint in Manchester, he would enjoy a period of great success as the club won four Premier League titles, two FA Cup’s and three Charity Shields.

His technical attributes would probably be his greatest asset, but the striker was also strong, quick and had an eye for goal. He could do it all and caused a great problem to defences whenever he played.

Individually he won several accolades, but his greatest achievement would most probably be being voted the greatest overseas player to play in the Premier League from 1992/1993 – 2001/2002.

Overall, he would appear 220 times in English football, where he would hit the back of the net 96 times. A controversial character with a fiery temper, Cantona would go down in history as he was made to endure a nine-month ban after karate kicking a Crystal Palace fan.

Nevertheless, he was a genius on the football pitch and it was a great shame when he decided to prematurely retire from world football at the tender age of 31.