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Josh Maja's trip from England to France is the reverse of the path taken, as it is usually young French talents who flock to the rich Premier League clubs.
Anthony Martial, for example, became the most expensive teenager football when Manchester United signed the Monegasque striker at 19. An incalculable number of young hopefuls left well before Martial in 2015, and many others will do so because the French academies are among the best in Europe. the development of young players.
Premier League clubs also invest heavily in confirmed stars, which further complicates the task of young English players like Maja.
Josh Maja's trip from England to France is the reverse of the commonly borrowed path
That's why the 20-year-old striker decided to try his luck with Bordeaux in the French Premier League.
"I thought I would have more opportunities abroad, that 's the main reason I left. Play in France with Bordeaux, get the chance to make a name for me and start from there, "Maja said. "It's a difference experience. I do not think many English players will ever have such an opportunity. & # 39;
Germany has become a more common destination for some young English people who go abroad, but Maja hopes that he will have the same success in France.
He will look to emulate Jadon Sancho, 18, who becomes a star of Borussia Dortmund after joining the club two years ago among the youth teams of Manchester City.
Sancho is already an English international and has eight goals this season for Dortmund. His 19-year-old friend Reiss Nelson scored six Bundesliga goals for Hoffenheim on loan from Arsenal.
Undoubtedly the best striker of the English Third Division this season, Maja has scored 15 goals in 24 league games for Sunderland and has attracted the attention of Bordeaux. His contract with Sunderland expires in June, he joined Bordeaux in January for an amount of 3.5 million pounds sterling.
These are usually young French talents who flock to the rich Premier League clubs
"Obviously, he's one of the top five leagues in the world," Maja said of the French league. "If I do half of what I've done for Sunderland, I think people will become aware of it."
He encourages other English players to make the same bet.
"There are a lot of English talents and we do not see them because everyone stays in the Premier League for too long; they may not have this opportunity, "said Maja, who spoke after the Bordeaux match at Paris Saint-Germain last weekend.
"I think for young players, going abroad is a good opportunity. I'm four and a half here, all this time to install, to evolve and to improve as a player. I am happy to be here.
The 20-year-old striker decided to try his luck with Bordeaux in the French first division
Like Sancho and Nelson, Maja grew up in London.
He played for the Crystal Palace and Fulham youth teams before joining the Northeast Club, Sunderland, through a two-year scholarship and signing a professional contract in 2016.
Sunderland was fighting in second place in England when Maja made his league debut against Fulham in December 2017, at the age of 18. Four minutes after coming off the bench, he scored the winning goal.
Sunderland was, however, relegated to third place. The failed battle against relegation was filmed by Netflix, whose cameras captured the anger and frustration of an exasperated crowd that turned against its players.
"This experience was obviously not the one you wanted," says Maja. "But I think for a young player, it's very good to go through a difficult stage in your career so early. For my future, it will put me in the right place.
He will try to imitate Jadon Sancho, who becomes a star at Borussia Dortmund
The fact that Sunderland is putting a big challenge on promotion this season is largely due to Maja's goals before he left. He averaged one every 118 minutes, the best ratio of all players with 10 goals or more in this league. In addition, his shot-to-goal ratio of 61% was the highest of the top eight scorers.
Although he has not yet made his debut in Bordeaux, his abilities stand out at the training.
& # 39; It is very mobile and formidable in front of the goal. At one point, he will bring us goals and we will earn points, "said veteran forward Jimmy Briand. We can not wait to see him on the ground.
His debut could take place in Sunday's home game against his local rival Toulouse – known as the Garonne derby because both cities are located along this river.
Maja is two feet taller, although stronger to her right, and turns quickly when he turns his back on the goal. He is a serene and technically badured finisher.
These attributes seem to prepare him for the French Technical League.
"It's well suited to my game," Maja said. "I hope to be able to show that.
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