The best African players in EPL so far

African players have been the talk of the town for quite some time now. In recent years, there has been a real surge in talent coming out of that continent and succeeding at the top level. The Premier League, in particular, is already home to some of the finest African players at the moment and one can expect more to turn up on the big stages in the near future.  England is home to the majority of top 5 Africans in the world right now. Chelsea’s Victor Moses, Tottenham’s Victor Wanyama, and Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez do not make into the top 5. So, let’s have a look at the ones who make it to the list.

Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli and Senegal)

Koulibaly is terrific in the air, can pass like any other top defender and is brilliant at reading the game. Now, combine his versatility to play anywhere in a three or four-man defense and there is a recipe for the complete modern-day center-back. No wonder, the 26-year old is being linked to several top clubs across Europe including the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.

Naby Keita (RB Leipzig and Guinea)

Last summer Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp decided to shell over £60 million to snap up the dynamic player for upgrading his midfield. Hence, Keita is set to rise further in the coming years and could become one of the best players in the world if he continues to progress at this rate.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal and Gabon)

Arsenal’s top scorer this season, blessed with the deadly combo of devastating pace and a poacher’s instinct. Aubameyang came into the limelight due to his successful five-year spell at Borussia Dortmund. The Gabon international was signed by then Dortmund manager, Jurgen Klopp, as a promising attacker from Saint-Etienne. Now at Arsenal in the Premier League, Auba is regarded by many as the second best African player in the league.

Sadio Mane (Liverpool and Senegal)

The second Senegalese on the list, Mane turned a lot of eyebrows when Klopp spent £34 million to secure his services from Southampton in 2016. There were huge question marks over his quality and consistency when he first arrived at Anfield. However, over the course of the past 20 months, he has turned into one of the best wide forwards in Europe. The 25-year old continues to progress at Liverpool and could have won the prestigious BBC African Footballer of the Year if not for his new team-mate this season, who sits at the top of this list. Mane is Liverpool’s second highest goalscorer this season.

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool and Egypt)

There was only going to be one name at the top of this list. Simply put, Salah has been magical for club and country in the past year. The left-footed forward joined Liverpool after a good season at AS Roma, where he scored 15 goals and created 11 more in the 2016/17 season. It would be an understatement to say he outperformed himself last season. This is the Egyptian’s second season at Liverpool, Salah is Liverpool’s top scorer in all competitions with 17 goals this season.