Published: June 18, 2025
MONROVIA – Former Liberia international and Paris Saint-Germain striker James Salinsa Debbah is under fire after controversially declaring France’s Ligue 1 as superior to the English Premier League.
Debbah’s remarks came in the wake of PSG’s dramatic UEFA Champions League semifinal victory over Arsenal, which the French giants followed with a title-winning performance. Speaking on a live podcast shortly after PSG’s triumph, the ex-forward claimed Ligue 1 is “technically better” than its English counterpart, drawing swift and widespread backlash from fans and pundits alike.
“The French Ligue has always been better than the English league,” Debbah said. “I know a lot of people will disagree with me, but that’s a fact. Those who have played the game will understand what I’m talking about.
“The English league attracts many foreign players because it is the most commercialized and lucrative league in the world. However, when we discuss technical ability and strength, we should be talking about the French Ligue 1.”
Debbah further cited the impact of French players in the Premier League as evidence of Ligue 1’s quality, using Arsenal’s history under Arsène Wenger as an example.
“Why do you think so many coaches go to the French league to scout for players? Take Arsenal, for instance. The players that made Arsenal relevant were 95% French—legends like Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, Patrick Vieira, among many others,” he added.
But Debbah’s comments were met with fierce criticism on social media, with fans accusing the former striker of conflating the talent of French players with the competitiveness of Ligue 1 itself.
“How can a former professional like Debbah not understand the difference between the quality of players and the quality of a league?” one fan questioned online.
Another, Gab Nimely, responded: “Why is he confusing French players with the league or English players with the EPL? For many years, most of the best players in the Premier League aren’t English. Just look at the competition—there are clearly more top teams in England than in France.”
Amos Fallah Kpalia added: “Maybe Debbah is overwhelmed by PSG’s Champions League win, but there’s no real basis for his argument. His analysis is poor. He needs to rethink his views.”
One user noted: “There’s no debate that France has produced some great players, but if we’re talking about the league’s competitiveness, a lot of people would disagree with Debbah’s take. Just look at how French clubs have performed in Europe—it’s not convincing.”
According to UEFA’s latest coefficient rankings, Ligue 1 has consistently placed fifth among Europe’s top domestic leagues over the past seven seasons. The Premier League, on the other hand, has frequently ranked first or second and currently holds the top spot.
Debbah, 54, spent several seasons in Ligue 1, making over 160 appearances for clubs including Lyon, Monaco, PSG, and Nice. He scored 44 goals during his time in the French top flight and remains one of Liberia’s most decorated football exports.
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