Joey Barton intends to emulate other British players to have succeeded in French football.
Midfielder keen to emulate the likes of Waddle
Joey Barton intends to emulate other British players to have succeeded in French football.
The controversial midfielder has joined Marseille on a season-long loan deal from QPR after falling out of favour at Loftus Road.
And the 30-year-old aims to follow in the footsteps of Chris Waddle, Trevor Steven and Tony Cascarino, who all enjoyed spells at Marseille, as well as Joe Cole, who spent last term on loan at Lille.
Barton told the Ligue 1
official website: "English players have done well in France. Cole, Cascarino, Waddle, Steven.
"French football is top-level football. There is the problem with the cultural differences and the languages and I will have to adapt."
Atmosphere
But the former Manchester City and Newcastle man believes the process of adapting will be easier because Marseille fans are famous for their vociferous support at the Velodrome.
"Everybody supports the club in this city," he added.
"OM has an English feel to it in some ways, with the supporters and the atmosphere.
"OM could be an English club. The club and the city are intrinsically linked. It's not like London or Paris. Football is integral to the city. When the team wins, the whole city is happy."
