ENGLAND had the fourth-highest number of players spending time abroad during 2019.
Incredible statistics show there were 565 English stars playing overseas last year – which is more than the likes of Spain and Germany.
English players in particular have been criticised in recent years for not making the move abroad to benefit their careers.
The Premier League is the richest league in the world – which makes it too hard for some players to walk away from.
But CIES Football Observatory Weekly Post has revealed the high number of English stars that were overseas last year.
Brazil were ranked at the top of the pile as a whopping 1600 of their homegrown players were starring abroad.
Liverpool star Alisson, Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus, Arsenal ace David Luiz and PSG forward Neymar are some of the most known stars.
France finished in second with 1027, while Argentina clinched the final spot on the podium with 972.
England secured the fourth spot ahead of fifth-placed Spain with 559 and Serbia with 521.
Germany, Colombia, Croatia and Nigeria completed the top ten 10.
Ex-England star Danny Murphy is among the long-list of former players that have urged youngsters to try their luck abroad.
Speaking last year, he said: “At the moment we’ve got an abundance of good, young English talent being stifled because of the quality of the Premier League and the amount of foreign players in the squads at the top clubs.
“If you love playing football and you’re sat on the bench watching it, you get frustrated.
“Why not take on a different culture and play football somewhere else.
“It can help young players in terms of development of their football, playing more regularly, living in a new culture and learning a new culture.”
Jadon Sancho is a prime example of how making the move abroad can benefit every aspect of a player’s career.
The England ace made the switch to Borussia Dortmund from Manchester City in the summer of 2017 for just £8million.
He had been linked with moves to Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham but decided to give things a go in Germany.
Sancho reportedly turned down a contract at the Etihad worth a reported £30,000-per-week to continue his career in Germany.
Since his arrival, he has proved himself to be one of the most sought after strikers in the world despite only being 20 years old.
He has been linked with a stunning summer move back to Manchester United – but is now expected to cost a world record fee for a British club.
United, who have agreed almost every detail of the deal after months of secret talks, are expected to pay upwards of £89million.
Juan Mata hails Man Utd transfer target Jadon Sancho
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
