It is a common phenomenon in the footballing world for a footballer who is a regular fixture in a big European team in the other top 4 leagues which are France, Italy, Germany and Spain, leave for a club languishing in mid table or just not doing as well as in the English Premier League.
There are many reasons why a footballer would leave a big club for a relatively smaller one in England, we will go over the 3 major reasons for that.
Money
The most common reason is the ludicrous amount of money that is available in the English Premier League. For Example, Mykhaylo Mudryk was playing for Shakhtar Donsekt and was earning 3 thousand dollars per week, after his move to Chelsea the 22 year old reportedly will earn over 150 thousand dollars.
The English Premier League has such a different financial footing compared to other major leagues.
In the 2022 Summer transfer window, the Premier League spent quadruple the amount on transfers as LaLiga. In the January window, the Premier League outspent the Bundesliga, Serie A, Ligue 1, and LaLiga combined.
Fame
We have seen many footballers leave clubs in prominent positions for mid table clubs in the English Premier League. The unfortunate truth is that a player from Aston Villa will probably be more recognizable than a player that plays for Real Sociedad.
That is the massiveness of the English Premier League, Players reputations and popularity seem to quadruple once they make a move to the English Premier League.
Level of support and competition
The ability of smaller clubs in the English Premier League to pull players talented enough to feature in a title winning side is outstanding.
A team like Aston Villa has the ability to recruit players like Philipe Coutinho, and Everton is able to sign stars like James Rodriguez.
The lower teams in the Premier League tend to attract players that should be playing in a bigger club side.
Here are 10 Players who left Bigger clubs for the English Premier League.
10. Tyler Adams ( RB Leipzig to Leeds United)
Tyler Adams is a 23 year old talented American defensive midfielder who currently plays for Leeds United.
He previously was a regular at RB Leipzig, a top club in the German Bundesliga, they are currently in third position in the German Bundesliga and have finished in the top four for the past 5 years.
He was a regular in Germany playing over 100 matches in 4 years for Leipzig and also won the German cup with them.
He made a 17 million move to Leeds United
Leeds are currently 15th in the English Premier League and barely survived relegation last season.
9. Luis Sinisterra ( Feyernoord To Leeds United)
Luis Sinisterra is a 23 year old Colombian winger who has been a joy to watch in the Eredivisie.
The Colombian was a regular for Feyenoord FC, one of the biggest clubs in the Dutch league playing over 110 matches and scoring 35 goals, and producing 29 assists.
He made a 25 Million move to Leeds United
Feyenoord are currently 1st in the Dutch League and look on course for a title win and Champions league qualification.
Leeds are currently 15th in the English Premier League and barely survived relegation last season.
8. João Palhinha (Sporting CP to Fulham)
Fulham Fc successfully secured the signing of Joao Palhinha for around 20 Million.
The 27 year old Portuguese arrived at Sporting FC from Braga, another Massive club in Portugal, and was a key player in both teams.
He made 76 appearances for Braga and 95 appearances for Sporting CP winning the Portuguese Super cup, The league cup 3 times and the Portuguese league once.
7. Pervis Estupiñán (Villarea to Brighton)
Pervis Estupiñán is a 25 year old Ecuadorian Left back who was signed for around 17 million by Brighton.
He was a part of the Villareal side that won the Europa League and played over 70 Games in 2 Years for the Yellow Submarines.
Villareal are an established team in Europe and currently sit 5th in the Spanish League.
Brighton are currently having an outrageous season and sit 6th in the English Premier League, beating Liverpool twice this season 3-0 AND 2-0.
6. Thomas Strakosha (Lazio to Brentford)
Thomas Strakosha is a 27 year old Albanian Goalkeeper who currently plies his trade for Brentford in the English Premier League.
The former Lazio Player joined Brentford on a free transfer in what was an absolute steal.
He was a Key player for Lazio Playing over 200 games in over 6 years at the club.
He was successful as part of the Lazio team as he won the Italian cup twice and the Italian super cup twice.
Brentford are having a successful season and currently sits in 8th position in the English Premier League.
5. Marcos Senesi (Feyenoord To Bournemouth)
Marcos Senesi is an Argentine midfielder who currently plays for Bournemouth football club.
The 25 year old was bought for around 15 million from Feyernoord.
He was a regular at Feyenoord Playing over 115 matches for the Dutch side before making his move to England.
Feyenoord are currently 1st in the Dutch League and look on course for a title win and Champions league qualification.
Bournemouth is currently 18th and fighting relegation.
4. Diego Carlos (Sevilla to Aston Villa)
Diego Carlos is a 29 year old Brazilian defender who currently represents English Premier League side Aston Villa.
He was purchased for around 31 million from Sevilla. He has now played football for clubs in France, Spain, England, and Portugal.
He was akey cog in the well oiled Sevilla machine as he amassed over 130 appearances for Sevilla in just 3 seasons.
He won the Europa League with Sevilla.
3. Matheus Nunes (Sporting CP to Wolves)
Matheus Nunes is a 24 year old Portuguese star who has recently moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the English Premier League.
The midfielder was purchased for a fee of around 45 million from Sporting CP
Nunes was a very influential member of the squad as despite his young age he managed to appear in over 100 matches for Sporting, winning the Portuguese League, The Portuguese cup twice, and the Portuguese Supercup.
Wolves are currently 17th in the English Premier League and are battling relegation.
2. Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin to Nottingham Forest)
Taiwo Awoniyi is a 24 year old Nigerian striker who currently plays his football at Nottingham Forest.
The man was at the Liverpool academy but had his career stunted by some work permit issues which hindered him from playing for the senior squad.
He would go on loan and later be sold to Union Berlin where he would score 15 goals in that season.
He was bought by Nottingham for a fee of around 20 million.
Union Berlin currently sit 2nd In the Bundesliga while Nottingham Forest sit 13th in the English Premier League.
1. Maxwell Cornet (Lyon to Burnley)
Maxwell Cornet is a 26 year old talented winger from Ivory Coast. He currently plays football at West Ham.
He was purchased for a fee of around 20 million from Lyon Fc in France by Burnley who are now relegated.
It was shocking to see Maxwell move from Lyon to Burnley as Burnley was majorly a defensive side. He was a key player for Lyon playing over 250 games scoring 51 goals and getting 29 assists.
