why OM directs its recruitment to the UK market

Like a growing number of European clubs, Olympique de Marseille, who host Newcastle in the Champions League on Tuesday, are targeting English players, who are exporting themselves further and further from their home islands.

While Olympique de Marseille plays its future in the Champions League, Tuesday 25 November at the Vélodrome, against Newcastle, there are probably more English players starting in the Marseille team than among any other team. magpie. Over the past two years, the Olympian transfer window has indeed featured Eurostar appearances. Together with Mason Greenwood, Angel Gomes and CJ Egan Riley, they are the three subjects of His Majesty Charles III, without forgetting Matt O’Riley, born and raised in the suburbs of London, although he represents Denmark sportingly.

OM thus maintained tradition, marked by the deaths of 12 England players and in particular Laurie Cunningham, Joey Barton and of course Chris Waddle. But the British accent in today’s OM is not left to chance. The first person in charge is Roberto De Zerbi. Because if he is Italian, the OM coach is marked by his time at Brighton (2022-2024). An experience that left him with a fondness for the players frolicking on the lawns across the Channel. “Premier League or Championship (English League 2) has very similar characteristics to Ligue 1 in terms of physical demands, speed, intensity. This championship is very similar…”he explained upon arrival at OM.

Since then, OM has recruited nine players from England in a year and a half. “If they attract so many good players, it’s because Medhi Benatia plays at a big club, that convinces the players to talk to him. Just like having Roberto De Zerbi on the bench”analysis of Mohamed Amaar, agent Youssouf Fofana and Moussa Diaby in particular. An attractive force that OM uses to attract the younger generation of England who have great potential, like other European countries.

Fiercely opposed to Brexit, English football has continued to open up over the years. After seeing Jadon Sancho and then Jude Bellingham emerge at Borussia Dortmund, more and more young English talents are joining the Old Continent. A boon for clubs looking for good results, such as OM, whose president Pablo Longoria announced belt-tightening in May: “We will work hard to find the best players at the prices I set as president to respect cash flow. Economic management will be strong, we must carry out regulation while increasing the workforce.”

For this, Marseille leaders in particular turned to promising English players such as Angel Gomes, CJ Egan Riley (arrived on a free) and Matt O’Riley (loaned by Brighton). “Buying young players from England is a guarantee of great added value for French clubs, because behind that, the Premier League is the main buyer of these players. There is anticipation of added value for these players which could be a good offer for French clubs”explains sports economist Luc Arrondel. “English clubs are keeping an eye on young people who shine abroademphasized FIFA agent Vivien André. And even English clubs who are mid-table or sometimes bottom can spend 40 million euros on a player nowadays.”

And for good reason: the rules require English clubs to take it into account”local playersHowever, if this was not always the case in the past, the vast majority of these young players are now British. Once again: thanks to Brexit, says economist Luc Arrondel: “Since Brexit, English clubs can no longer include European players aged under 16 in their training bases, which they often do, and have encouraged them to train more local players”. The changes, which helped encourage England to review their training, were successfully proven by the European U23 title won in the summer of 2025. Four European champions were also in Ligue 1 at the start of the season, including two at Marseille: CJ Egan Riley and Jonathan Rowe (before the latter was relegated to Bologna). Charlie Cresswell plays at Toulouse, and Tyler Morton at Lyon.

Buying young English players has been a great opportunity, one that is profitable in itself. At Marseille, Jonathan Rowe, for example, convinced teammate CJ Egan Riley to join him. Something similar also happened between Mason Greenwood and Angel Gomes. “When a player feels comfortable and valued at a club, he is the best ambassador to attract other players. Especially if he is a friend or close to the player being targeted, that is a blessing for the club.”confirms agent Franck Belhassen, who specifically deals with Brian Madjo, a 16-year-old player playing for FC Metz, who is regularly called up to England among the youth.

However, Olympique de Marseille is clearly not the only club that understands this good idea, as Olympique Lyonnais also has three English players in its squad. In Ligue 1 this season, there are 12 English players, compared to 9 in Italy, 7 in Spain and 6 in the Bundesliga. “This is new. We remember David Beckham at Real Madrid, Milan, then PSG, but apart from him, we rarely see English players abroad. Currently, we are receiving more and more requests from young British people or their parents to come to France, or to Europe”Vivien André confirms.

Facing extreme competition in their domestic championship, where even promoted players can rely on an international squad, “The British have understood that coming to France is ideal to gain experiencebelieves Vivien André. English football is so financially strong that a player brought in for 50 million euros could be a substitute. So, the little kid in the back, he doesn’t want to play. Whereas if he comes to France, he is more likely to get playing time and visibility.”. For example, the case of Marseille defender CJ Egan Riley, who was targeted by several English teams last summer, but chose OM.

“English people have understood that it is easier to go and study in Europe, and other European countries have understood that English youngsters are ready to play at home. Because the intensity of English football is such that, even in training, even a young player who has never played a Premier League game can quickly be ready for Ligue 1.”

Mohamed Amaar, player agent

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The final element that explains this trend: the end of a form of British snobbery. “The young English players who approached me believe that their football has changed since the arrival of foreign coaches. Under the influence of Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola or Mikel Arteta, the Premier League, from a gaming and tactical point of view, has taken on a Latin accent. And therefore, it is easier for young English players to open themselves up to other championships than their own”summarizes Vivien André. With the idea, in my mind, of returning to the country through the front door. Which, for the England team at OM, means a superb performance on Tuesday against Newcastle.