Ola Aina's Breakthrough in Torino

Historically speaking, British players rarely left the United Kingdom to play football in a foreign country, and only a few of the ones that did like Welshman John Charles and Englishman Kevin Keegan actually succeeded in mainland Europe.

Perhaps it was due to the comforts of home, the strength and prestige of the English First Division and then the English Premier League in recent years, or being accustomed to the pace and physicality of English football as opposed to the more technical and tactical styles of the continentals, but players from the British Isles saw little need or desire to play in rival leagues.  

With the influx of the world’s best players coming to the Premier League, it is harder for local footballers to earn regular playing time. Despite England producing an abundance of young talent in recent years, English starlets are struggling to find opportunities in their own country and have decided to take their chances in other European leagues.

Germany has become the preferred destination for British youngsters with likes of Jadon Sancho at Borussia Dortmund, Reiss Nelson at Hoffenheim, and Reece Oxford at Augsburg, but one British-born footballer is trying his luck in Italy and has been able to adapt to Italian football in the short time that he has been in Serie A.