Ranking the Top 10 English Players Who've Played in Foreign Leagues

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(Bleacher Report) England is the birthplace of the world's greatest game. Not only does it have the title of home of the beautiful game, but it is also home to many legendary players in the sport.

Men like Peter Shilton, who holds the record for the most caps in the English National Team at 125, and Manchester United immortal, Sir Bobby Charlton. Billy Wright also is an immortalized English man as he spent his entire career at Wolverhampton Wanderers during their glory years and also was capped 105 times by the Three Lions National Team.

However, not all Englishmen have played there entire career for clubs on their own soil. Some felt it was time to venture out at one point or another for at least several years to make a name for themselves on a different nations stage.

The following is a list of 10 of England's best exports that succeeded on European or other worldly soil. Also as a side note, many articles that I found in my research include players that were born in Wales and Scotland, so in my version I want to keep it to players strictly from England and not the entire UK. So if you wonder why you aren't seeing Paul Lambert or Graeme Souness, they were born in Scotland and Wales......Click Here to View the Slideshow.

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Downing Key on Bettering His Career and Liverpool Are Set to Pounce

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(Bleacher Report) Give Me Football confirmed this morning that once again Stewart Downing is in demand at Liverpool. It has been no secret that Kenny Dalglish is a huge admirer of the former Middlesborough academy graduate and he is keen to add the England International to his squad.

At 26 many would believe that he is out of the range of the owners as far as youth policy  but considering the hotly linked Ashley Young is also only days from being 26-years of age it doesn't carry much weight.

Downing offers much of the same as Young for the Reds but at a better price. With trophies and success, and eventual Champion's League action on the want list for the winger, the statement that Liverpool has been making under Fenway Sports Group is that they are building with huge plans for success.

His statements this week to the press prove he is ready to step up his career with a move if the right offer comes:

 "You want to finish with medals at the end of it so, if it's a step up with Villa or with someone else, I'm ready for it."

"You watch teams in the Champions League and it makes you wish you were there."

"You sit at home and watch it, hear the music come on, you see the teams and you think 'that's where you want to be."

The addition of Downing would also give the Reds another English International player as the ranks already include Andy Carroll, Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson, and U21's Jordan Henderson, Martin Kenny and more.

With the talent pool growing in a time where home grown players are going to become a must, it is no doubt that the new owners are doing things the right way with Liverpool and Downing would be a much welcomed addition to the wide areas.

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Scott Dann Now the Primary Young Center Back Targeted by Reds

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(Bleacher Report) 24-Year old Birmingham City defender Scott Dann is now a main defensive target for the Reds as Phil Jones is now on his way to Manchester United. Dann is Liverpool born and bred and is a professed life long Reds fan. That makes the situation almost ideal for the young man to make a move to Anfield after his club was relegated on the last day of the Premier League season.

His value is believed to be in the £10million range and his attacking mentality that has seen him bag 13 goals during his career between several teams also plays into Kenny Dalglish's new system.

The Daily Mirror reported this morning that Dann was indeed under pursuit from the Reds as the next in line centerback option.

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Jordan Henderson to Sign for Liverpool Today, Ngog to Stay for Now

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(Bleacher Report) Yesterday Jordan Henderson was photographed at Liverpool's Melwood training ground as he completed his medical before he is expected to finalize his paperwork this afternoon.

Originally it was believe that David Ngog would be heading the opposite direction but this morning it is now reported by the Liverpool Echo that the £8million valued Ngog was going to make the deal worth £24million total and has been dropped from the deal to make it a £16million straight cash transaction for Henderson.

Several people commented on yesterday's Liverpool transfer update that they were not happy for David Ngog to leave, well guys you got your wish, for now.

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Scott Dann Also in the Cross Hairs as Reds Press Youth Policy for Growth

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(Bleacher Report) Sky Sports also report that Birmingham's Scott Dann is also on the Reds shopping list for the summer. The Blues young defender is valued at £10m which would be a great value for the Merseysiders. However, it is apparent that just as with Phil Jones, the Reds may be having to out wit Arsenal for the youngsters signature.

Dann looks a player of the Liverpool mentality as he is tough at the back but likes to press the attack. Also as a life long Liverpool fan, he would most likely help push the deal through to get back to the Premier League after the Blues relegation. He experienced the high of winning the Carling Cup and it is likely the Reds will be major contenders for trophies in the next several years in many more ways than Birmingham.

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Liverpool in the Hunt for Phil Jones at the Back

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(Bleacher Report) Liverpool continue to go after young talent as they are reportedly now battling Arsenal for the signature of Blackburn Rovers starlet centerback Phil Jones claims Sky Sports.

Valued at around £16m it would be another example of the Reds sticking to their youth policy after having just wrapped up the signature of Sunderland wide-man Jordan Henderson.

The price tag is high and could prompt a player plus cash deal which seems to be preferred by the owners lately. Paul Konchesky or Sotirious Kyrgiakos are both possibles for that idea as they both look likely to leave Anfield this summer despite Kyrgiakos having put in a good year for the Reds.

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Roma Keeper Alexander Doni the Possible New Back-Up to Pepe Reina

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(Bleacher Report) After failing to secure Brad Friedel last week with the American accepting a move to Tottenham over Liverpool, Kenny Dalglish is back in the market searching for a new full-time backup to Pepe Reina.

It looks like he has found the man he wants in Roma's Brazilian keeper Alexander Doni. After loosing his permanent place in the Roma line-up last season he is looking for an out from the Eternal City, and Liverpool could be just that.

Brad Jones whom was signed last season by Roy Hodgson to be the back-up spent more time in the reserves and on-loan than in that role and he is available for transfer and could be a possible make weight in the opposite direction or could be sold outright.

Doni at 31-years of age is still in his good days and would make an excellent experienced back-up as opposed to Jones whom has not seen competition at the high levels as Doni.

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Charlie Adam Still on Liverpool and Kenny Dalglish's Want List

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(Bleacher Report) After being rebuffed in January after a failed £12m bid for Blackpool's Charlie Adam, Liverpool look set to return with a new offer. This time it looks to be lower, but with the Tangerienes now relegated, Adam will be keen to move back up to the Premier League after a great season in orange.

In the same Guardian article that broke the Henderson news this morning, it also reported a possible £8m move for the Reds to prize away the 25-year old Scottish international.

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway was keen to keep his Captain in January, but it will be a much harder task this time around.

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Jordan Henderson Talking Personal Terms for Five Year Deal with Liverpool

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(Bleacher Report)It looks like the Reds got the first of their men this summer. Sunderland's hometown England U21 starlet Jordan Henderson is apparently on his way to Melwood to complete a medical and finish negotiating personal terms on a five-year deal to see him spend his prime growth years in Liverpool Red.


The deal also includes David Ngog as a make weight. The deal called for a £20m fee for Henderson but the inclusion of £7m valued Ngog will reduce the outplay of Liverpool to £13m and eliviate some wage bill room for the incoming player.

Ngog was a good steward for Liverpool but never looked to have progressed since the young Frenchman was brought in by Rafa Benitez.

Henderson will be the first of many new Reds I expect to see this summer as Fenway Sports Group and leading man John W. Henry and Damien Camolli continue to show they are committed to signing youthful talent to develope an all new Liverpool squad for the future.

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Chris Brunt Another Liverpool Target as SPeculation Continues to Grow across the league

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(Bleacher Report) After a great first season back in the Premier League, West Bromwich Albion will be hoping to hold onto one of their key performers this season in Chris Brunt. The Northern Ireland international established himself as the team's new captain, and under former Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson the Baggies avoided relegation.


In hopes of doing so again it will be key for them to hold on to guy like Brunt. However, the lure of big-name clubs like Liverpool might be to much to keep him settled. At 26 years old in many cases he is past the age group that Fenway Sports Group have wanted to target, but at an £8 million price tag as opposed to many other players in the near £20 million range he might be a steal.

Despite the rumors, Brunt appears happy at West Brom for now according to Sporting Life, but that remains to be seen as the summer window has only just began.

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Bojan Krkic Linked with Moves to Arsenal or Liverpool

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(Bleacher Report) Twenty-year-old Barcelona attacker Bojan Krkic appears to be on his way out of the Nou Camp. Rated as a highly talented striker, the young player is growing constantly frustrated in Barcelona as he is primarily relegated to substitute appearances.

Honestly, does he think he is Lionel Messi or David Villa or something?

No offense towards the player, he is ready to move to a club where he can attempt to get regular first team action and grown his game. He is linked heavily with Arsenal and Liverpool at the moment, but I truly don't see either of those teams handing over a boatload of first-team appearances either when the Reds have Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez up front, and Robin Van Persie and Marouane Chamakh lead the line for the Gunners.

It will remain to be seen where he lands, but I am guessing it will be with an Italian or upper mid-table La Liga team in the long run.

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Ashley Young Wants Champions League Football and Manchester United can Provide

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(Bleacher Report) England wide man Ashley Young fired home the equalizing goal against Switzerland on Saturday and continues to show his massive talent even after the close season.

In an interview following the match, he was quoted by the Liverpool Echo as saying:

"I want to test myself at World Cups, European Championships and the Champions League.

"As a kid you always want to play in the best competitions. As a kid I wanted to play in the Champions League—and hopefully one day I will.

"People say the prime of your careers is aged 25, 26, 27. I'm 26 next month so hopefully I'm coming into my prime."

With that said it still remains unknown where he will end up.

The prospect of near-immediate playing time at Anfield will be the biggest bargaining chip for the Merseyside club. However, the likes of Manchester United, who seem to the be primary opponent in the race for the Three Lions attacker, offer Champions League football, as do also Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea who all could do with Young's skills.

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Jordan Henderson Wants Liverpool Mover over Manchester United

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(Bleacher Report) An £18.5 million move appears what is the main focus in a Liverpool deal with Sunderland for young midfield starlet Jordan Henderson. The transfer has been gathering steam in the press all weekend, and now it looks like the youngster wants his agent, manager and all involved to get the deal done and dusted as soon as possible.

In what also appears a great part for the Reds is that the Daily Mail is reporting that Henderson wants the move to Anfield over a move to current Premier League Champions Manchester United.

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Fernando Torres Misses the service once provided by Liverpool's Steven Gerrard and Real Madrid's Xabi Alonso

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(Bleacher Report)According to his new assistant manager, Michael Emenalo, Fernando Torres truly is at a loss without the service of Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso as quoted in today's Liverpool Echo.


The two had combined to supply Torres with the means to plunder 86 goals in 126 appearances as a Red, but he has only managed one goal since leaving in January for the, "Bigger Club," of Chelsea.

Given the fact that his move failed to bring him any silverware, and Liverpool are definitely on the rise with their new manager and owners, perhaps he is regretting it just a little bit. As is it is now the Blues without a stable management system, and an aging out squad while the Reds are once again full of enthusiasm, and looking to build with younger talent over the new years.

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Aquilani Set to Return as a Red as Juventus Move Looks Uncertain

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(Bleacher Report) After months of speculation it now seems official that Alberto Aquilani will return to Anfield to start his third season under contract as a Red. It remains to be seen if he will stay with the club, but Kenny Dalglish's statements of last month seem to make me believe he will at least start the season at Liverpool.

To Dalglish, Aquilani will be like a new signing, and it may be just the kind of new start the Roman born midfielder could use in England as he made some great displays in the last half of the 2009-2010 season before he was shipped off on loan this year by Roy Hodgson.

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Jordan Henderson Becoming a Primary Target for Liverpool Manager Kenny Dalglish

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(Bleacher Report) Sunderland's 20-year old midfielder Jordan Henderson is becoming a hot prospect for the Reds in recent weeks. With a high transfer fee estimated at around £20 million it is expected that it may fall through.

However, this also has just as high of a possibility of going through because of his age and the new youth injection policy of Fenway Sports Group. Henderson would be a great youthful add to a squad already stocked with young talent.

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Aston Villa Forward Stewart Downing's Future Also Up in the Air

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(Bleacher Report) Ashley Young's fellow attacking partner at Aston Villa, Stewart Downing, is also up in the air over his future with the Birmingham side. Seen as an alternative prospect to Ashley Young for Liverpool, Downing is also being chased by Harry Redknapp and Tottenham Hotspur.


His decision is also believed to be based on the hopes of European football in his future as a Champions League player, and that could way in heavily. Tottenham only secured Europa League which is a far cry from the Champions League. Playing a European-less season at Anfield could give him the hopes of returning to the Champions League next season as that will be the main focus of the Reds in 2011-2012.

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Ashley Young to Decide Future Soon

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(Bleacher Report) England International and hot transfer prospect Ashley Young has pushed talk to a transfer aside until after this weekends Euro 2012 England qualifier. The highly sought after wide player is the target of both Liverpool and Manchester United.

Liverpool's non action in Europe next season is believed to be a key factor in his decision making, and it will be interesting to see where he will be playing next year.

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