The trend of English players transferring to clubs in France has become increasingly common. In addition to the English players at RC Strasbourg Alsace—Samuel Amo-Ameyaw, Ben Chilwell, and Martial Godo—others like Eric Dier (AS Monaco) and Tyler Morton (Olympique Lyonnais) have also made the switch to Ligue 1 this summer.
Recently, Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri joined Olympique de Marseille on loan to enhance his prospects at his parent club. Similarly, Newcastle United’s Trevan Sanusi, 18, finds himself in a comparable situation.
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“I believe this was both a club and personal decision for me. I know I have talent that needs to be showcased, and the club recognized that. I felt France would be a great place to kick-start my career, develop as a player, and grow as a person,” Sanusi shared in an exclusive interview with Get French Football News, organized by the LFP Media’s international department.
The increasing number of English players in Ligue 1 influenced Sanusi’s decision to join FC Lorient on loan for the season. “That was one reason I came here; I saw how English players have grown after moving to France. If they could succeed, I could too, and I knew it would aid my development, so it was a straightforward choice,” he explained, reflecting on his motivation to leave Tyneside last summer: “I’ve come to realize I’m stepping out of my comfort zone. But it’s definitely beneficial for my growth,” he added.
Sanusi’s Challenging Start at Lorient
Newcastle hopes Sanusi will benefit physically during his time in France, especially with Ligue 1 mirroring the physical demands of the Premier League, making it a preferred destination for English clubs to develop their talents. Sanusi has already begun to feel the effects.
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“I feel like they are helping me develop rapidly, and I’m adapting well in training. I expected it to be physical, but the intensity was surprising! I’m adjusting, and I believe this experience will be beneficial when I return to Newcastle,” said the winger.
Unfortunately, his loan was impacted by an ankle injury sustained shortly after arriving in Brittany. “The initial months were really tough for me,” he acknowledged, having to wait until December for his first appearance with Les Merlus.
Sanusi reflected, “I haven’t had many injuries before, but this one came at a pivotal moment when I needed to prove myself. It was disappointing, but I had to remain positive and focused on my recovery.”
He finally made his debut for Les Merlus in a Coupe de France match against AS Gosier at the end of December. Despite being “nervous”, he performed remarkably, scoring one goal and assisting another in a 7-0 victory.
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Sanusi Aspires for Newcastle Breakthrough
Now, Sanusi aims to leave his mark in Ligue 1, having been on the bench during Lorient’s recent 2-0 win against Stade Rennais. “The atmosphere was electric. Before the match, I could feel the team’s energy… I’ve always believed in our chances, and based on our training sessions, I knew we were prepared. The manager pushes us hard, so I felt success was inevitable,” he stated.
Les Merlus have been one of the season’s surprising teams, exceeding expectations. Sanusi attributes this to the “standards” established in training by Olivier Pantaloni, which motivate the team to aim “higher and higher” instead of looking back.
Impressed by Pablo Pagis, Sanusi is eager to carve out his path in the second half of the season, aiming to achieve “a couple of stats under [his] belt,” something he believes will be facilitated by Lorient’s fast-paced play: “That’s where I shine. I’m excited for what’s ahead.”
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The objective is for Lorient to serve as a launchpad for Sanusi to break into Newcastle’s first team next season. “My dream is to play for Newcastle and become part of the first team. I know the coach (Eddie Howe) has high expectations, but he also encourages me to grow. That’s why I came here—to develop. When I go back, I just need to keep working hard to break into the squad,” he expressed.
He added, “But if another loan is required for me to continue my development, I am open to that challenge. A return to Ligue 1? Absolutely. Coming back would be fantastic.”
This exclusive interview is a repost from Get French Football News, which can be found HERE.