The Premier League has welcomed players from all across the world since it began in 1992-93, including from Africa. There are names from this part of the world which is are now synonymous with the Premier League, and many would become legends with their respective clubs and the Premier League in general.
A few months into the maiden Premier League campaign, Peter Ndlovu became the first player born in Africa to play in what is now the best league in world football. It continues to prove to be a continent that can produce players capable of playing at the very top of the game.
Identifying the top 10 of said players to perform in the Premier League could be a conversation and argument that would never end. Some key names haven’t made our list for now, but that is not to belittle their accomplishments in the end. For now, we’ve settled on this top 10, highlighting why they deserve recognition for being the best African players to play in the Premier League.
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Mohamed Salah
It hasn’t always been plain sailing for Salah in the Premier League. Just us not forget his forgetful stint with Chelsea between 2013 and 2015. We’ll forgive him for that though, as his return to English football with Liverpool in 2017 proved to be the turning point. The Egyptian is now not only a Liverpool legend but also a Premier League icon, and always will be.
Last season was his joint-worst Premier League goalscoring return in a season, with 19, which is hardly a bad return. He has a 2019-20 Premier League medal to show for his efforts, along with three Golden Boot’s, a Player of the Season Award and also has won a spot in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year on three occasions. There really isn’t anything else to say.
Emmanuel Adebayor
Whilst the maverick striker experienced some troublesome periods during his time in the Premier League, there can be no denying his talent. When he was on it, he was amongst the best in Europe at the time. It was his time with Arsenal where he really began to emerge as a top Premier League forward, with his 24-goal return in 2007-08 being the big highlight.
His time at Manchester City was bright to start with, before tailing off in the second season. Real Madrid even call calling for his services, before he found his love for the game again at another North London club, Tottenham Hotspur. The Togolese international never won a Premier League title, but he certainly showed us all what he was capable of.
Wilfried Zaha
When you think of Crystal Palace, then Zaha’s name cannot be too far away. Although his time with the club and possibly Premier League football could be coming to an end this summer, Zaha has shown to us all that he is amongst the best African players on this era. His dribbling ability down the left wing is to the pain of any opposing right back, who always leave the pitch in knots.
Clearly his move to Manchester United came at the wrong time, but he did not let them effect his career. He has played close to 30 games per season over the last eight years or so, and Eagles fans see him as a club legend. Quite simply another top-quality individual, who although has no Premier League medal he is clearly a top talent that left his mark on the greatest league in the world.
Michael Essien
‘Tough’. This is the general description most players will give when they played up against Essien during his time with Chelsea. The Premier League side parted way with just over £24million for his services and he was worth every penny in the eyes of then boss Jose Mourinho and every Chelsea supporter. Without him, Chelsea wouldn’t have been the force they was at the time.
The Ghanaian collected two Premier League titles during his time in the division, also winning club accolades and the BBC African Footballer of the Year in the process. He was very much a defensive midfielder and protected the back four to within an inch of his life, but he could impact offensive situations as well. This famous goal against Arsenal was one of many highlights with the club.
Michael Essien’s piledriver against Arsenal in 2006 is one of the Premier League’s most iconic goals pic.twitter.com/1FDeAlRGE2
— Former Footballers (@FinishedPlayers) September 27, 2022
Yaya Touré
Some would argue that Yaya Touré was one of the best players to play in the Premier League ever, let alone in comparison to others from Africa. Whilst many former teammates say he wasn’t the best trainer, he turned up big time for the games and had a huge impact. Across his eight years with Manchester City, he barely put a foot wrong.
He won the Premier League title on three occasions and twice was part of the PFA Team of the Year. Like Essien, he too won the prestigious BBC African Footballer of the Year, although once more than Essien, and his trophy cabinet at home no doubt continually had to be upgraded. He caressed the football, scored big goals and was quite simply one of the best to ever grace the English game.
Didier Drogba
Born in Ivory Coast, Drogba would go on to become one of the most influential names in the Premier League era. Even to this day, many will reference his name as the perfect lone centre forward. He won in all during his time at Stamford Bridge, including four Premier League titles. No central defender relished facing him, as they’d often come off second best.
When Roman Abramovich made his mark at Chelsea, the signing of Drogba proved to be the first real turning point. His robustness, pure strength and ability to score a goal on the big occasion are some of his many, many qualities. Although a striker, he also holds the rather unique credit of proving the most assists of any African player in the Premier League.
The touch ?
The finish ?Was this @didierdrogba's best-ever #PL strike? pic.twitter.com/Uxd6xWelxJ
— Premier League (@premierleague) June 11, 2023
Sadio Mané
Across over 250 appearances for Liverpool, Mané firmly established himself as one of the best players in world football at the time. Although Mohamed Salah received plenty of headlines, Liverpool wouldn’t have been as effective as they were without Mané. Of course, it was his form at fellow Premier League side Southampton that forced Liverpool to part with £34million to snap him up.
The 2019-20 Premier League title was certainly the highlight, but Mané almost won in all during his six season stint at Anfield, including the UEFA Champions League. His dribbling and ability to hold off chasing defenders made him incredibly difficult to regain the ball from. Four PFA Team of the Year places further proves his effectiveness over several years in the Premier League.
Riyad Mahrez
There is absolutely no question that Mahrez is a Premier League great, and will go down in history for what he has done during his time in the top league. He too has been touted with a summer move away, but his legacy has already been written. A five-time Premier League champion; four with Manchester City and who could forget Leicester’s triumph in 2015-16.
Being a left-footer playing on the right wing is not as easy task, especially with defenders knowing the preference to cut back onto the preferred foot. Nevertheless, he has every opposing left back in all kinds of trouble on a weekly basis. Mahrez rarely loses the ball in the final third and has been an important piece of the Man City jigsaw in winning their countless trophies in recent years.
Kolo Touré
Whilst many will unfairly compare him to his brother, Yaya, Kolo Touré deserves to be mentioned in this conversation in his own right. He too was another gem unearthed by Arsène Wenger, and the Ivorian went on to become part of the famous Arsenal ‘Invincibles’ in 2003-04. Not bad for a player that only cost £150,000!
His partnership alongside Sol Campbell was a vital cog in the wheel with Arsenal at the time. His talents were appreciated at Arsenal, whilst his time with Manchester City, where he went on to be part of the coaching staff, also saw him play an important role. He had real speed for a centre back, whilst he defended his penalty box better than most.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Whilst it was his time at Borussia Dortmund which saw the rest of the world take notice of Aubameyang, it was Arsenal that was successful in prizing him away from Germany. Although the relationship ended sourly, it has to be said that showed plenty of top traits during his time at the Emirates Stadium. For three-and-a-half seasons, he was incredible.
Aubameyang showcased some comparisons to Thierry Henry in his game, often drifting to the left side and utilising his pace to charge into offensive areas. Inside the penalty box, there were few better than the Gabon international. No Premier League title doesn’t tell the full story but during his time here he definitely proved why he is mentioned amongst the best this league has seen.
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