Serie A has always been known for its tactical stiffness and passionate fans. It’s also been a host to many exceptional English talents, where some of them left a lasting legacy in the sport. Some players became part of history, while others had quick stints only to go back to their home country for the rest of their careers. Many are still remembered today by fans on Stake, who compare young players to some of the sport’s legends.
John Charles: The Gentle Giant of Juventus
One of the first English talents to find his place in Serie A clubs was the extraordinary John Charles. Arriving at Juventus in 1957, Charles proved to be a very versatile player. He used his height to impose an impenetrable defense line, but also used his speed as a fierce striker. He was a player with an impeccable sense for scoring, who earned a nickname Il Gigante Buono, or a Gentle Giant. In his debut season, he became Serie A’s top scorer with 28 goals and helped Juve to the Scudetto. Charles stayed for the next five seasons, scoring over one hundred goals in 155 matches. He also won three league titles and two Coppa Italias. Among Juventus fans he remains one of the most beloved foreign players of all time.
Gerry Hitchens
Gerry Hitchens transferred to Italy in the early 1960s, to play for several Serie A teams; Inter, Torino, Atalanta and Cagliari. Soon he became one of the best forwards in the league, securing Scudetto for Inter with 16 goals that season. However, he was not celebrated as some other players of his time. Regardless, fans still remember him as one of the best strikers that landed in Italy, praising him for his humble nature and calm demeanor.
Jimmy Greaves and Trevor Francis
Jimmy Greaves is one of the most celebrated English players in the Premier League. Not many know, or remember, that Greaves dipped shortly in the Serie A back in the early sixties. In Milan, there were problems from the beginning. A rigid Englishman struggled to settle into the fiery environment of Italian football. Still, Greaves managed to score nine goals in 16 matches, including the one in the derby against Inter. His gig in Italy suddenly ended, and Greaves continued his career in England.
Trevor Francis arrived at Sampdoria in 1982, where his technical skill helped him shine. He played a part in Sampdoria’s first Coppa Italia triumph in 1985, ending the tournament as its top scorer with nine goals. Shortly after, Francis transferred to Atalanta where he reached the finals with the team. In 1979 he became Britain’s first £1 million player following his transfer from Birmingham City to Nottingham Forest.
Paul Gascoigne
The famous Gazza, besides being an absolute legend in the Premier League, also had a stint in Lazio in 1992. Even though his time in Rome was plagued with injuries and personal struggles, he did have some moments of brilliance, like when he scored the unforgettable goal for Roma in Derby Della Capitale in the 89th minute. However, he lacked consistency followed by his private problems that cut his gig in Italy short. Still, even today Gazza is regarded as one of the most creative players ever to hail from England.
Today, the 58 year old is retired, but stays in the sport as a commentator and a frequent guest of broadcasters. Throughout his life, Gazza struggled with alcohol addiction and was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder. If it wasn’t for his personal issues, it’s possible that he would leave a much deeper mark in Serie A, and in the sport overall.
Paul Ince, Ray Wilkins, David Platt
The 1990s saw a handful of technically gifted English midfielders move their careers to Italy. Paul Ince joined Inter Milan in 1995, earning respect for his leadership and versatility as a midfielder. Ray Wilkins followed suit at AC Milan, as one of the calmest midfielders. His control of the match and elegant play fit right in the Serie A. David Platt joined in the early 1990s, and stayed for a few seasons playing for Bari, Juventus and Sampdoria. His spell was overall successful, after which he moved back home and finished his career as player manager from 1999 to 2001.
Ashley Young
Ashley Young’s move to Inter Milan in January 2020 marked a new chapter in his career by becoming one of the most successful stories of English players in Serie A. After leaving Manchester United, many expected Young to recuperate and think about his next move. Instead, he reinvented himself in Antonio Conte’s tactical game. He thrived in both defense and forward play, adapting quickly to the demands of Italian football. In the 2021 season, Young played a key role in helping Inter secure its first Serie A title in over a decade. He became only the third Englishman in history to win the Scudetto, following Jimmy Greaves and Gerry Hitchens. Moving to Italy revived his career and proved that Englishmen can fit into the fiery Italian league.
Chris Smalling and Tammy Abraham
Chris Smalling left Manchester United to join Roma on loan in 2019. However, soon after the move became his permanent new team where he stayed for the next five years. In the very first season, he became the first English player to score at least two Serie A goals in a single season since Beckham. In 2022 Smalling earned Man of the Match while lifting the trophy for Roma at the Europa Conference League.
Tammy Abraham arrived at Roma in 2021 and immediately broke a record by scoring 17 goals in his debut season. Three years later he went to AC Milan where he stayed for only one season. Today, he is playing in Turkey, but his stint in Italy remains one of the most successful transfers in Serie A.
Modern Trend: More Brits Arrive in Serie A
The trend of Englishmen, and Brits in general, continues. Recently, AC Milan signed Fikayo Tomori, Ruben Loftus Cheek, and Tammy Abraham all in one season. The Premier League has had its own problems and struggles in the past few years, which is why Italy became one of the top football destinations for English players seeking to revitalize their careers.
