New for 2020, I will be opening a vote for you to decide on your English player abroad of month.
Each month, I will decide on four nominees and then post a poll on Twitter to allow you choose who you think deserves to win the accolade.
Here are the four nominees for January.
First up is former England international Steven Caulker. The defender may not have helped Turkish Super Lig side Alanyaspor keep any clean sheets in January but they did win three of their four matches and more remarkably, the 28-year-old provided three assists from the back.
The club played Kasımpaşa three times in the month, twice in the cup and it was during the league match that Caulker really stood out. The ex-Tottenham man provided both assists as Alanyaspor won 2-1 away from home. They also defeated the same opposition over two legs in the cup.
Adam Le Fondre really has been in startling form this season for Sydney FC. The 33-year-old has scored a goal every 89 minutes in the A-League this season and currently leads the goalscoring charts with 15 goals. January was no different for the former Bolton man. He scored three goals and provided one assist in four matches as the Sky Blues started their 2020 with four consecutive wins. Le Fondre’s impressive form now means his side are 13 points clear at the top of the A-League table.
Former Arsenal striker Stephy Mavididi really came to his own in January. The 21-year-old on loan from Juventus was Ligue 1 side Dijon’s hero as they started their Coupe de France campaign. You could say that the forward has single-handedly guided his side to the quarter-finals of the cup with three goals and one assist.
In the round of 64, he provided an assist as Dijon overcame Ligue 2 side Valenciennes. In the next round, Mavididi hit a brace as his side thrashed Nîmes 5-0 but his most important contribution was still to come. Travelling away to fifth-tier side FC Limonest Saint-Didier, Mavididi was rested as his side were backed for an easy win. However, things did not go to plan for the Ligue 1 side and it took a 120th minute goal from the English forward off the bench to make it through.
Perhaps a name not as well known but one that still deserves just as much recognition, Sadik Balarabe had a fantastic start to the year with Spanish fourth-division side Urraca CF. The Londoner has played around the world in America, Greece, Portugal and Turkey amongst others has really settled in well in Spain.
During January, the 27-year-old forward played four games for Urraca, scoring in three in a row to help his side to two wins and a draw. That took his total to 11 in 20 and earned him a move to divisional rivals Ibiza Islas Pitiusas at the end of month. His new side are looking good for promotion and he scored on his debut – although that was in February.
Honourable mentions
Jadon Sancho really should be on this list seeing as he got two goals and two assists in January but I thought I’d give someone else a shot seeing as the 19-year-old has the world at his feet.
Matt Derbyshire had a great January in Cyprus, scoring three goals for Omonia and former Liverpool striker Michael Ngoo matched that tally in Albania. Further afield, Adam Thurston scored three goals for Eastern Suburbs in the New Zealand Premiership.
English Players Abroad 
2 replies on “Vote for your English player abroad of month! January 2020”
Great to see some nostalgic names here including Le Fondre and Caulker. Very nice piece and well set out!
Yes good to see them still going strong! Thank you for your kind words.