Another English Premier League season has begun. Though it’s limited to a relatively small portion of the world, the EPL still stands as arguably the most popular football league on the planet. As such, it still draws star players from far and wide. Year in and year out that means there are at least a few of the top African players in action in the EPL. And for 2018/19, these are the best of them.
To keep the list interesting, we’re excluding Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian superstar who is clearly head and shoulders above the rest of the African EPL players at the moment. Beyond Salah, these are the players who come to mind.
10. Wilfred Ndidi
Wilfred Ndidi is a midfielder for Nigeria and is now in his second city with Leicester City. The team has fallen off dramatically from its shock Premier League title a few seasons ago (before Ndidi was on board), but Ndidi will be looking to help the club regain a spot among the Premier League’s upper echelon.
9. Joel Matip
Joel Matip isn’t the flashiest of the African players in the Premier League given that he plays primarily as a centre back. However, if you look at the oddsmakers’ takes on Premier League action, it won’t take long to get the picture that Liverpool is one of the true league favorites. That means Matip could wind up being crucial for an EPL champion defense.
8. Wilfried Zaha
Just 25 years old, Ivorian Wilfried Haha has a chance to become one of the better African goalscorers on the international front. If that proves to be the case he may ultimately secure a move to a top club, but for now he’s looking to enjoy a reverse move, having transitioned from Manchester United to Crystal Palace.
7. Victor Wanyama
Tottenham Hotspur has really raised its profile of late, and is now capable of competing with the best teams in the Premier League on a regular basis. Wanyama has been a part of this evolution, having served as a defender and defensive midfielder in London since 2016. For those who like experienced, savvy defenders, he’s one of the top African players to watch.
6. Eric Bailly
Eric Bailly is an Ivorian player and something of a rising star on the defensive side of the ball. He plays currently for Manchester United, though there are beginning to be some convincing rumors that he could be making a move to defensively challenged Arsenal during the January transfer window. That would if anything put him even further under the spotlight, as he’d be expected to balance Arsenal and help the team get back to contention.
5. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Gabonese forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is looking to take his career to the next level this season at Arsenal. Said to have formed a buddy cop duo with Alexandre Lacazette, he’s part of an effort to kickstart the Arsenal attack on the fly. Aubameyang has the skill to make a major impact, and has already had a few excellent moments in the young season.
4. Naby Keita
As a central midfielder for a Liverpool team that as mentioned should be competing for an EPL title, Naby Keita is in an enviable position in 2018/19. The Guinean captain could be in for the year of a lifetime, and has become a very fun player to watch at jus 23 years of age.
3. Victor Moses
Moses is off to a rocky start for a Chelsea team that’s leading the Premier League without much help from him so far. However, the Nigerian winger is still one of the three or four most talented African players currently active in the EPL, and odds are he’ll find his way back to meaningful playing time shortly.
2. Sadio Mane
Only 26 years old, Senegal winger Sadio Mane is establishing himself as an invaluable asset in the deadly Liverpool attack. He doesn’t get quite the attention of teammate Mohamed Salah, but he’s every bit as important to the team’s success.
1. Riyad Mahrez
Riyad Mahrez was an EPL star for Leicester City, and is looking to have the same impact at a higher level playing for Manchester City. The team is expected to compete for domestic and European titles, and manager Pep Guardiola has expressed confidence that Mahrez can be a big part of the action. If that proves to be true, the Algerian midfielder will have proven to be one of the most crucial additions in European football for the 2018/19 campaigns.
and salah from europe right ??
I thought Egypt was in Africa so Salah should be in there, and i think aubameyang should be first because he truly is a remarkable footballer.