# British Players Surge in Italian Football

> 21 British footballers now play in Serie A, a record high.
- Title: British Players Surge in Italian Football · the Guardian
- Summary: 21 British footballers now play in Serie A, a record high. Twenty-one British players are in Serie A this season, the most ever, driven by improved player…
- Keywords: serie a, british footballers, italian football, john stones, d jed spence, trevoh chalobah, scott mctominay, lazio, napoli, inter, champions league, premier league
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/football/2026/oct/07/many-british-footballers-playing-serie-a-italian-top-flight
- Published: 2026-10-07T12:00:09+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: serie a, british footballers, italian football, john stones, d jed spence, trevoh chalobah, scott mctominay, lazio, napoli, inter, champions league, premier league
## Record British Players in Serie A
Twenty-one British players now play in Serie A this season, the highest number ever recorded.
## Historical Context of English Players in Italy
The first Englishman to play for an Italian club was Charles Adcock, who moved to Padova after World War II.
## 1980s and 1990s English Stars in Serie A
Trevor Francis joined Sampdoria in 1982, and Paul Gascoigne was a prominent English star in Serie A during the 1990s.
## Modern British Players in Serie A
John Stones and Djed Spence moved to Inter after the World Cup, joining a record 21 British players in Serie A this season.
## Italian Coaching and Player Development
Italian sporting directors value the hard work, professionalism, and tenacity of Scottish players, particularly in building team chemistry.
## Cultural Adaptation and Experience
British players increasingly embrace Italian culture, language, and food, with Scott McTominay appreciating Neapolitan tomatoes.
## Serie A's Appeal to English Talent
Players see Serie A as a chance to become more important in a big league with big-name clubs, especially after Premier League academies produce technically adept players.
## Recent Signings at Inter
Inter signed Curtis Jones from Liverpool and John Stones, joining a record 21 British players in Serie A this season.
## Future Prospects for British Players
Trevoh Chalobah is set to play at Como, where he will train with Cesc Fàbregas and benefit from the club's strong defensive structure.
## Key takeaway

Twenty-one British players are in Serie A this season, the most ever, driven by improved player development, cultural adaptation, and Serie A's appeal to English talent.