In England it’s pretty well thought that Joey Barton is a bit of a prat, but maybe we just don’t understand him like they do in France.
Midfielder Barton is on a season long loan at Ligue 1 side Marseille from Premier League side Queens Park Rangers and since leaving London in the summer with a 12 match ban for violent conduct, dating back to the last day of the 2011/12 season, Barton has made a good impression across The Channel.
Marseille’s sporting director Jose Anigo told French magazine L’Equipe: “We can see that the team has been lifted by his competitive spirit.
“He is now established as a leader in our group. He was described as an animal but he is just the opposite.
“He is funny, intelligent, and he fights for victory. He is very happy here, maybe he has found the right club for him.
“Should he desire to stay it could be very good and we have a very good relationship with his club QPR.”
The former Newcastle United and Manchester City midfielder is no stranger to a bit of a scrap on the field but off the pitch sees himself as a philosophy enthusiast and leader of men, those of you who follow him on twitter will know what I’m talking about.
It seems Barton has fully immersed himself in the French lifestyle, going so far as learning the……accent?
Only Joey, eh.
Sam Jewell