Premier League cross-Channel raids continue on Ligue 1 talent

Rudy Gestede is the like-for-like replacement for the big Belgian frontman, sold to Liverpool for his release clause of £32.5m, but the younger Ayew may be that missing link between midfield and attack partnering the Benin international bought from Blackburn Rovers up top.

Tim Sherwood has also turned to Lille and Nantes to provide him with options to stem the tide of exits among a decimated engine room. Tom Cleverley chose a free transfer to Everton over permanently switching to the West Midlands, while Villans captain Fabian Delph made a controversial U-turn over interest from Manchester City.

Added to Jordan Ayew, Senegal anchorman Idrissa Gueye and Jordan Veretout is Nice left back Jordan Amavi, bringing total Villa spending on French-based footballers to almost £35m this summer.

The latter’s St-Etienne counterpart Franck Tabanou was taken to Swansea (check out their Premier League profile for this season), again in the spirit of creating competition, for a more modest £3.5m. Andre Ayew and Tabanou join last summer’s striker signing Bafetimbi Gomis, so those former two will be trying to feed the target man with service.

Considering the decidedly more modest budgets at Villa and the Swans, defining what will make these French-speaking additions to their respective rosters successful falls far short of emulating Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira in their ‘Invincibles’ pomp at Arsenal.

Having pundits and punters alike say they are subsequently surprised by how well Amavi, the Ayew brothers, Gueye, Tabanou and Veretout have taken to the Premier League would be a clear marker that they have done well.

With regard to full back duo Amavi and Tabanou, establishing themselves as first-choices down the left-hand side of defence is their first priority.

Swansea, 6/4 shots to once again finish in the top 10 with Coral, have seemed reluctant to make Neil Taylor a regular after he sustained a badly broken leg in their maiden Premier League campaign.

Amavi, meanwhile, could also have an easy time getting ahead of a procession of average alternatives in defence on Villa’s books. Tim Sherwood’s midfield and striking additions are set to be thrust into the spotlight straight away more through necessity than invention, although they were brought to the West Midlands with this clearly in mind.

Poaching French footballers remains en vogue for Premier League clubs looking to build on and better what they previous achieved. The debuts of the super six brought in from Ligue 1 by the Swans and Villa should be watched with great interest.