By Tom Caldwell.
Due to the current absence of football in Britain, many of us are supporting British players in Germany, so here are some of the best Brits in Europe’s top five leagues right now.
There are no goalkeepers, so this is a 10 rather than an 11.
Right-Back: Kieran Trippier
Club: Atletico Madrid
An England hero now in Spain, Trippier has adjusted well to life at Atletico Madrid and has notched four assists across La Liga and Champions League play so far. He gets in ahead of young talent Jonjoe Kenny. Trippier won the hearts of the nation with his spectacular free-kick against Croatia in England’s infamous 2018 World Cup exit.
Centre-Back: Chris Smalling
Club: AS Roma (on loan from Manchester United)
Despite his reputation taking a battering in England, Chris Smalling has been great in Serie A this season as the defensive rock of Roma’s team. The question is, is he not good enough for the Premier League or are United not a good fit for him? He’s on the road to redemption.
Centre-Back: Ethan Ampadu
Club: RB Leipzig (on loan from Chelsea)
Chelsea and Exeter fans will know all about young Ethan Ampadu — the still young but confident centre-back made his professional debut aged just 15. His confidence on the ball and defensive ability should certainly lead to an incredible future, even if he has played just seven times for RB Leipzig this season.
Left-Back: Ashley Young
Club: Inter Milan
Another player with a mixed reputation in England, Ashley Young hasn’t been bad at Inter, scoring and assisting once in five Serie A appearances. This was an area with very little choice which is the main reason Manchester United’s former scapegoat’s made it into this team.
Central Midfield: Aaron Ramsey
Club: Juventus
Many Arsenal fans wish he’d never left them and it’s clear to see why. Ramsey is a model professional and a brilliant technical footballer, superb in the box-to-box role. Ramsey could well add another trophy to his list with Juventus top of Serie A.
Central Midfield: Lewis Baker
Club: Fortuna Dusseldorf (on loan from Chelsea)
Another player that makes it based on the very limited choice, Baker is a Chelsea loanee at Fortuna Dusseldorf. A hard-working midfielder who has had many loans of varying success, he’s started just seven Bundesliga games in this particular temporary stint.
Central Midfield: Ronaldo Vieira
Club: Sampdoria
Named after two incredible footballers (maybe), Vieira is closer in playing style to Patrick than Cristiano as he’s a midfielder but he hasn’t quite reached the same heights. However, he is another player with a bright future ahead of him and has started 17 Serie A games this season alone for Sampdoria.
Right-Wing: Gareth Bale
Club: Real Madrid
One of the team’s star players, Gareth Bale plays for Real Madrid (a bit) but you could joke that he’s more committed to his Golf. A great player at Tottenham and in his early days at Real, Bale is actively searching for a move away from the Bernabeu — let’s hope he can restart his career and we see the old, defence-terrifying, Gareth Bale.
Left Wing: Jadon Sancho
Club: Borussia Dortmund
When you look at this team’s two wingers, you really do feel sorry for the likes of Rabbi Matondo, who would have made the team if it weren’t for these two incredible players. As you all know, Sancho is one of England’s best assets and may even guide himself to a Ballon d’Or award in the future, he really is that good. Expect him to be the talk of the next transfer window.
Striker: Ademola Lookman
Club: RB Leipzig
Firstly, a reminder that Erling Haaland was eligible for England, what could’ve been? Although not naturally a striker, Lookman can do a job there and may do so for England in years to come. However, if that is to be the case, he’s going to have to improve on his form since making a permanent move to RB Leipzig, failing to find the net in 11 outings for the Bundesliga side this season.
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