Baup tips French exodus to continue

Marseille coach Elie Baup has warned the trend of big names moving from Ligue 1 to the English Premier League will continue.

A number of players have made the switch across the English Channel in recent seasons and this January transfer window has been no different.

Loic Remy and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa are just some of the latest departures from the French top flight, and Baup feels the trend will continue.

“What you see is that French football loses good players, all leaving for England, so the Premier League will be above all the other leagues,” Baup said.

“In France, because of the financial side, we will have to work on young players or with recruits not well known, and then we’ll make them big, and they’ll go to England again. We are entering this ‘cycle’.”

Baup’s side take on Rennes on Saturday as they continue their push for an 11th French league crown.

Marseille sit third in the table, just one point behind leaders PSG, and Baup predicted a stern test from fifth-placed Rennes.

“Rennes are fighting with us for the spots for Europe, it’s a team which just qualified for the Coupe de la League final. That kind of qualification always gives you many positive things, especially mentally,” Baup said.

“So at home, they’re a team full of strength, with many qualities, and they will of course give us many problems.”