Salomon Kalou Compares Ligue 1 and Bundesliga: “More Intensity and Impact in Germany”
After stints at Chelsea, Lille, and now Hertha Berlin, Salomon Kalou has had a front-row seat to some of Europe’s biggest leagues. Speaking to La Voix du Nord, the Ivorian striker offered a frank comparison between Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga—and it wasn’t exactly flattering for the French league.
“I’ve only played three matches [in Germany], but I’ve realised that there’s more intensity and more impact in the Bundesliga than in Ligue 1. The matches are much more open too. In France, when you’re leading 1-0, you don’t dare attack. In Germany, it’s completely different. There’s attacking from both sides,” Kalou said.
The former LOSC forward, who left Chelsea in 2012 after lifting the Champions League, spent two seasons in Ligue 1 before transferring to Hertha Berlin this summer for €3 million. His comments reflect a recurring critique of the French league—that it tends to prioritize tactical rigidity and caution over bold attacking play.
Kalou’s perspective adds to the growing chorus of voices suggesting that while Ligue 1 develops technically gifted players, it may lack the tempo and attacking fluidity seen in leagues like the Bundesliga. His words may not sit well with fans of the French championship, but they offer insight into why many attacking players often thrive after leaving Ligue 1.
