Top 10 - Brits abroad

By David Lee Wheatley

Johnny Foreigners!

I can remember following Serie A in Italy intently from way back in the early 1990s and my memories of the likes of Paul Gascoigne moving over there from England to ply his trade got me to thinking...which British players made the greatest impact on foreign shores within the last 30 years? Here, I give a rundown of my top 10.

10. Mark Hateley – England international Hateley spent three years apiece with Milan and Monaco, joining Glenn Hoddle in Monte Carlo. Won the Ligue 1 title in 1988, but only managed a Coppa Italia runners-up medal with Milan during a transitional period for the club. Went on to star for Glasgow Rangers, initially under player-manager Graeme Souness.

9. Graeme Souness – The hard-man of Scottish football joined Sampdoria from Liverpool and with his vast experience led Mancini, Vialli and co. to the Coppa Italia in 1985 for the first time in the club’s history.

8. Steve Archibald – From humble beginnings at East Stirling and Clyde to the big-time at Barcelona, Archibald’s eye for goal catapulted him to stardom. The Scot was a popular figure at Camp Nou after a move from Spurs, but due to restrictions on the amount of foreign players allowed in each team, Archibald found himself loaned back to England. He did however manage a goal every two games with Barca, while also enjoying a short spell in the colours of Espanyol.

7. Paul Ince – Overcame a slow start to his time at Inter by becoming an integral part of the side during a two-year period at Giuseppe Meazza. Became a fans’ favourite and was offered a new contract by the president Massimo Moratti, but decided to return to his native England with Liverpool. Ended his time in Milan as a runner-up in the 1997 UEFA Cup final, as Inter lost on penalties to German side Schalke.

6. David Beckham – Worldwide superstar and global brand, but also a decent footballer! Won the La Liga title while with Real Madrid and also spent two loan spells at Milan. Could be about to add another league title to his name with Paris Saint-Germain in France.

5. Gary Lineker – England striker Lineker signed with Barcelona from Everton in 1986 and his time with the Catalan giants was initially successful under then-coach Terry Venables, but once Johan Cruyff took over the job he began to use the striker out of position on the right wing, causing him to lose his place in the team. Barcelona won the Copa del Rey and European Cup Winners’ Cup during the Englishman’s stay in Spain.

4. Paul Lambert – From Motherwell in the Scottish Premier League to Champions of Europe with Borussia Dortmund, combative midfielder Lambert’s story was the stuff of fairytales. Lambert signed for Dortmund on a Bosman free transfer and coach Ottmar Hitzfeld employed him in a defensive-minded role. His drive helped the club to the greatest night in their history in 1997 when winning the Champions League with victory over Juventus and by doing so Lambert became the first British player to win the trophy with a non-UK club.

3. David Platt – The goal-scoring midfielder spent four years in Italy playing for Bari, Juventus and Sampdoria. His performances for England at Italia ‘90 had attracted Italian interest in the Aston Villa player and he enjoyed a personally good first year at Bari, despite the club’s relegation. He moved on to Juventus in 1992, but struggled to hold down a place with the UEFA Cup victors of that year. Then, he really made his mark in two seasons with Sampdoria, where he played alongside Roberto Mancini amongst others, and lifted the Coppa Italia under Sven-Goran Eriksson.

2. Chris Waddle – Former Newcastle and Spurs winger Chris Waddle made the move across the channel in 1989 when joining Marseille and made such an impact that he was voted as the second-best Marseille player ever behind Papin during the club’s centenary celebrations. He also helped the southern French giants to the 1991 European Cup final, losing on penalties to Red Star Belgrade.

1. Glenn Hoddle – The least British player stylistically to feature in the list. Spent just over three years with Monaco in France and showed the midfield prowess that was hugely undervalued by his own country. After joining from Spurs, Hoddle led Monaco to the Ligue 1 title in 1988, their first in six years. He consequently won the award for ‘Best Foreign Player in French Football’ in the 88-89 campaign, as Monaco reached the quarter-finals of the European Cup.


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