Manchester United Legend Rio Ferdinand Names Ghanaian in Top 5 Africans to Play in the English Premier League

• Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has named Michael Essien in his top five African players to play in the EPL
• The list was prompted by Sadio Mane's departure from Liverpool after six years with the Merseyside giants
• Michael Essien spent nine years at Chelsea winning several titles including the English Premier League title and the FA cup

Rio Ferdinand has included former Ghana and Chelsea star Michael Essien in his top five African players to have played in the English Premier League.

Essien spent nine years at Stamford Bridge, helping Chelsea win multiple titles including the English Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.

Ferdinand, who was making his comments following Sadio Mane's Liverpool exit, named the Senegalese along side Essien and Didier Drogba in his top five.

"I'm going..." Ferdinand teased. "In no particular order; Didier Drogba, Salah, Mane, Yaya Toure, Michael Essien." Ferdinand also added: "Raaaaaa this is hard yenoooo. Riyad Mahrez won some trophies. I loved Jay Jay Okocha also… mad player," he posted on Twitter, according to GHANASoccernet.

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Mane left Liverpool during the week after six successful seasons, winning every trophy in England as well as the UEFA Champions League.

Meanwhile, Essien and Drogba were a part of a formidable Chelsea side under Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti.

Yaya Toure stormed the English Premier League with dazzling football, making Manchester City a force to reckon with while Sane's teammate Mohamed Salah completed his list.

Ferdinand were out of the five to include Austin Jay Jay Okocha and Riyad Mahrez for their roles at Bolton and Manchester City respectively.

Michael Essien reveals how Manchester United rejected him because of his size

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that former Ghana international Michael Essien has made a shocking revelation about the early beginnings of his career.

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The ex-Chelsea star has disclosed that his move to Manchester United failed because of the size of his body.

According to the 39-year-old, former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was looking for a certain type of player.