Mane, Salah, Drogba, Toure: The greatest African XI in Premier League history – GIVEMESPORT

Sadio Mane has left the Premier League after eight highly successful years in England’s top tier.

The Senegalese star joined the Premier League in 2014 when he signed for Southampton in a £11.8 million move in 2014.

After impressing for Southampton, he earned a £34m transfer to Liverpool in 2016.

Mane enjoyed great success for the Reds. His time at the club came to an end on Wednesday afternoon as he joined Bayern Munich.

In total, Mane played 262 Premier League games. He scored 111 times and recorded 47 assists.

He helped Liverpool to the Premier League title in the 2019/20 campaign and was named in the PFA Team of the Year on four occasions.

Mane is one of the greatest African players to ever grace England’s top tier. You can’t name a greatest African XI in Premier League history without including Mane.

Soccer Football – Premier League – Aston Villa v Liverpool, Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain – May 10, 2022 Liverpool’s Sadio Mane REUTERS/Craig Brough EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

But who else makes the side? Following Mane’s departure, we’ve named the greatest African XI to have played in England’s top tier since 1992 below…

GK: Edouard Mendy (Chelsea)

Mendy has been brilliant since signing for Chelsea in 2020. He’s kept 30 clean sheets in 65 matches for the Blues. He won The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper award in 2021.

LB: Celestine Babayaro (Chelsea, Newcastle)

Babayaro made 179 Premier League appearances in his 11-year stint in the Premier League. He helped Chelsea to four trophies, including the FA Cup in 2000.

CB: Kolo Toure (Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool)

Toure played a key role in Arsenal’s Invincible season in 2003/04. He went on to win the Premier League title with Man City in 2011/12. In total he made 353 Premier League appearances, scoring 12 times.

LONDON – OCTOBER 2: Kolo Toure of Arsenal in action during the Barclays Premiership match between Arsenal and Charlton Atheltic at Highbury on October 2, 2004 in London. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

CB: Lucas Radebe (Leeds United)

Radebe spent 10 years in the Premier League with Leeds. The South African kept 57 clean sheets in 197 top-flight games for the west Yorkshire outfit.

RB: Lauren (Arsenal, Portsmouth)

Lauren won two Premier League titles with Arsenal and played 32 matches in their ‘Invincible’ season.

CDM: Michael Essien (Chelsea)

Essien was one of the world’s best midfielders for a period during his time at Chelsea. He won nine trophies with the club, including two Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2012.

LIVERPOOL, UNITED KINGDOM – DECEMBER 17: Michael Essien of Chelsea in action during the Barclays Premiership match between Everton and Chelsea at Goodison Park on December 17, 2006 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images)

CM: Jay-Jay Okocha (Bolton Wanderers)

So good they named him twice. Without doubt the most skilful player in Premier League history. He was a joy to watch during his four seasons at Bolton.

CM: Yaya Toure (Manchester City)

Toure is in the conversation when discussing the greatest midfielder in Premier League history. He was brilliant. His 2013/14 campaign was remarkable as he netted 20 Premier League goals from midfield.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 06: Yaya Toure of Manchester City celebrates with The Premier League Trophy after the Premier League match between Manchester City and Huddersfield Town at Etihad Stadium on May 6, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

LW: Sadio Mane (Southampton, Liverpool)

The Premier League is worse off after Mane’s departure. A quite incredible player.

RW: Mohamed Salah (Chelsea, Liverpool)

Salah flopped at Chelsea, but he’s been absolutely sensational for Liverpool. He’s notched 118 Premier League goals in just five seasons for the Reds. He’s won the Golden Boot three times and the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award on two occasions (2017/18, 2021/22).

ST: Didier Drogba (Chelsea)

Drogba was borderline unplayable for the majority of his time in the Premier League. He scored 104 Premier League goals and won the title on four occasions.

Among the players that miss out include Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nwankwo Kanu, John Obi Mikel, Wilfried Zaha, Riyad Mahrez and Emmanuel Adebayor.

Sadio Mane quiz: How much do you know about the Senegalese superstar?

next story previous story

News Now – Sport News

from WordPress https://ift.tt/9qIgloa
via IFTTT