British Stars Shining Across Europe: A Tale of Triumph and Trials
With Brits Abroad making waves in top leagues, from the Bundesliga to La Liga and beyond, the 2025-26 season is showcasing a mix of stellar performances and tough challenges for these players away from home turf.
The European football landscape is buzzing as England’s key figures adapt to new environments in foreign leagues. Following the September international break, the 2025-26 campaign has kicked off with varied outcomes for these British talents, highlighting both successes and setbacks in their quest for glory.
Brits Abroad Highlights: Standout Performances in European Leagues
Each week, we analyze the highs and lows of British players competing overseas, and this latest overview captures the excitement from a weekend where major European clubs asserted their dominance on the pitch.
Harry Kane’s Unstoppable Momentum in the Bundesliga
Building on his goal against Serbia in England’s dominant World Cup qualifier, the Bayern Munich forward has kept his impressive run going in Germany. At 32, he delivered two goals and an assist in a resounding 5-0 victory over Hamburg at Allianz Arena, underlining his enduring prowess.
The match started strong with contributions from teammates, as Serge Gnabry found the net first, followed quickly by Aleksandar Pavlovic’s strike, assisted by Kane’s precise through-ball after clever teamwork. Kane added to the tally with his signature penalty, and before halftime, Luis Diaz’s deflected effort made it 4-0. Even with a more relaxed approach in the second half, Kane sealed the win with a deft move and finish past his defender.
This marks an astounding 11 contributions in just five outings this season for Bayern, remarkable given his limited rest after the Club World Cup. Is this the beginning of a serious push for the 2026 Ballon d’Or? While he remains modest, his current form suggests Bayern could be strong Champions League candidates if he maintains this level.
Kane shared post-match thoughts, noting, “This setup really clicks for me: our playing style and pressing create openings, allowing me to connect and exploit runs behind.” This indicates Vincent Kompany’s intense tactics are firing on all cylinders, potentially positioning Kane as a top contender for individual honors.
Challenges for Trent Alexander-Arnold at Real Madrid
The former Liverpool defender’s transition to Spain is hitting rough patches. He found himself on the substitutes’ bench again as Real Madrid clinched a hard-fought 2-1 win at Real Sociedad, preserving their flawless La Liga start after four matches.
Goals from Kylian Mbappe and Arda Guler secured the points for Real, even after playing with ten men for much of the game due to Dean Huijsen’s dismissal. Alexander-Arnold entered late in the 82nd minute, playing a minor role in the outcome under Xabi Alonso’s leadership.
Dani Carvajal was chosen once more at right-back, forcing Alexander-Arnold to confront the possibility of not being a regular starter. Alonso commented beforehand that selections depend on merit, yet it’s evident Carvajal aligns better with the team’s structured approach currently.
Given Real’s attacking depth, Alexander-Arnold’s creative skills take a backseat to Carvajal’s defensive reliability. At 26, he has opportunities ahead to turn things around, especially with Carvajal’s errors in this match-such as conceding a penalty-potentially opening doors. Improving his defensive game could make Alexander-Arnold indispensable as Real pursues trophies.
Resilience and Recovery Among British Players
Marseille’s Rebound with Key British Inputs
After a setback against Lyon, Marseille delivered a strong response against Lorient at Stade Velodrome. A pivotal early moment saw Michael Murillo fouled in the penalty area following a skillful touch on a long ball, leading to Darlin Yongwa’s red card.
Mason Greenwood converted the spot-kick coolly to give Marseille the lead, then assisted Benjamin Pavard’s header from a curling corner for the second. Pavard netted his debut goal for the club since his loan from Inter, and Angel Gomes, a fresh free-agent signing from Lille, added a spectacular volley from distance to extend the advantage.
Nayef Aguerd finalized a 4-0 triumph late in the game, but Greenwood and Gomes stole the spotlight as former Manchester United prospects. Greenwood is set to be Marseille’s main attacking force in challenging Paris Saint-Germain, with Roberto De Zerbi hoping Gomes mirrors that impact.
De Zerbi expressed optimism, stating, “The squad strengthened well in the transfer market, and the players are excelling. This felt like our true league debut with everyone gelling, and there’s palpable excitement in donning the OM kit.” As they face Real Madrid in the Champions League, sustaining this energy will be crucial.
Jobe Bellingham’s Uphill Battle at Borussia Dortmund
Niko Kovac, Dortmund’s manager, commended the ex-Sunderland youngster for his dedication and maturity in a post-break press conference, praising his age-appropriate poise and clear ambitions. Bellingham demonstrated this grit by continuing play after a head injury in their 3-0 win over Union Berlin and scoring for England’s U21s.
Yet, surprisingly, he was omitted from the starting lineup against Heidenheim, with Felix Nmecha and Pascal Gross preferred in midfield. He substituted in for the last 25 minutes during a comfortable 2-0 lead, as the opposition played with ten men following Budu Zivzivadze’s red card.
While Kovac appreciates Bellingham’s mindset, it’s clear he seeks more consistent results. Competing against players like Marcel Sabitzer, Carney Chukwuemeka, and Salih Ozcan for spots, and being viewed as a dedicated No.6, Bellingham must step up soon to secure a prominent role at Signal Iduna Park.
Turning Points for British Talents in New Settings
Marcus Rashford Finding His Rhythm at Barcelona
Rashford’s initial spell at Barcelona, on loan from Manchester United, has been lackluster, with no contributions in his first trois La Liga games and an early substitution in his debut start versus Levante.
However, in their recent home clash with Valencia, Rashford showed promising adaptation to Hansi Flick’s dynamic squad. Over 68 minutes, he was a persistent menace, finally recording an assist with a clever low cross that set up Raphinha for a close-range finish in the 6-0 rout.
Rashford’s chance creation topped the match with three, helping Barcelona cope without injured star Lamine Yamal. The England international, who also scored against Serbia, needs to sharpen his finishing to lock in a starting spot, but he’s evidently enjoying the camaraderie and growth alongside Barcelona’s elite players after tough times at his former club.
Tyler Morton’s Setback in Ligue 1
The 22-year-old, formerly of Liverpool, earned a nomination for Ligue 1’s player of the month alongside Joao Neves and Ilan Kebbal for his early Lyon displays. Sadly, his match against Rennes ended on a sour note.
Lyon led 1-0 in the closing stages when Kader Meite tried to spark a counter for Rennes, only for Morton to make a rash challenge. Though not overly forceful, it was deemed cynical, resulting in a straight red card.
If Morton had stayed calm, Lyon might have neutralized the threat easily. Instead, Rennes capitalized, with Anthony Rouault tying the game shortly after, followed by a Remy Deschamps own goal and Meite’s late header for a 3-1 win.
This error cost Lyon a potential fourth straight victory and kept them from closing on PSG. Still, Morton’s overall contributions, including winning most ground duels and a 94% pass accuracy, remain noteworthy. Lyon is appealing the decision, which could spare him a suspension.
