Joe Cole on the level of Ligue 1: “It’s at the same level as the Bundesliga, Serie A and La Liga.”
Speaking to L’Équipe ahead of tonight’s Champions League meeting between two of his former clubs – Chelsea and Lille – former English midfielder Joe Cole notably commented on the level of Ligue 1 in comparison with other European leagues.
“[The level] was far greater than what I was expecting before coming to Lille. In fact, it’s a league which hasn’t stopped progressing since and which I would place today behind the Premier League but at the same level as the Bundesliga, Serie A, and La Liga.”
“At my time, for example, I was very impressed by the quality of young defenders – those I played with like Lucas Digne or those I faced like Kurt Zouma. I would tell my contacts in the Premier League, “you should sign them, they’re already very good!”. In my opinion Ligue 1 is close to the Premier League in its physical dimension.”
“If a defender does well in France, there is no reason why they shouldn’t do so in England. That’s why so many Premier League clubs are interested in Sven Botman, there are few doubts on his ability to adapt.”