Africa has been supplying talent to the Premier League since the division started in 1992. And, as with anything, some African footballers have fared better in England’s top flight than others. Here we look at some of the best African players to play in the Premier League and why they’re head and shoulders above the rest.
Mohamed Salah
When you’re talking about the best African players the Premier League has seen, the biggest debate about whether Mo Salah has the edge over the man below him in this piece, Didier Drogba. Salah, 30, who hails from Egypt, has been phenomenal in his time at Liverpool, with his goalscoring record for someone who plays to the right of the attack out of this world. The former Chelsea man was also integral to Liverpool winning their maiden Premier League trophy, and he’s also picked up a Champions League winners medal and many personal accolades.
Didier Drogba
Drogba, as mentioned above, is a player that many feel is the top African footballer to come to the Premier League because of the impact he had at Chelsea. Drogba’s style differed from Salah’s, but his goal record stands up against anyone’s. And it’s potentially what he was able to achieve at Chelsea that makes him stand out more than most. The Ivorian striker is a four-time Premier League winner across two stints with the club. He’s also won the Champions League and the FA Cup and League Cup multiple times, and not many can rival such an impressive haul.
Mario Balotelli
Yes, we know what you’re thinking; Mario Balotelli is from Italy. But, born Mario Barwuah to Ghanaians, we wanted to include the madcap striker who played for both Manchester City and Liverpool, more so for his antics, although his goal record at City was excellent, and he was also involved in helping them lift their first Premier League trophy. However, what made Balotelli great was his escapades away from the football pitch, such as setting fireworks off in his house. It was even reported that he gave a homeless man a large sum of money after netting a big win at a casino. The latter could have landed him in trouble, which is why he would have been best playing at one of the many licensed online casinos available.
Sadio Mane
We end our list as we started it, with another player who starred for Liverpool during their recent successful era. Senegalese winger Mane, who swapped Southampton for Liverpool and never looked back, is probably one of the Anfield outfit’s most important players of all time. He was dependable playing on the left of Jurgen Klopp’s front three, bagging goals and assists aplenty. Mane also often deputised as the central striker, and like Salah, was a crucial part of Liverpool winning the Premier League and the Champions League. He left in the summer to join FC Bayern, and his former team look lost without him.