What Africa’s Starting XI in the English Premier League Would Look Like

What Africa’s Starting XI in the English Premier League Would Look Like

Babajide Orevba
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:24 PM
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  • African footballers have continued to set the English Premier League agog with some incredible performances
  • Quite a number of legends from the continent have featured in the English topflight, leaving indelible footprints
  • Here we take a look at the current African players in England and who will make the continent's Starting XI

African stars continue to dominate the English Premier League, with clubs chasing some of the finest stars from the continent.

The EPL gives African players the platform to showcase their respective talents, as many feature for the biggest clubs in England.

In 2022, the Premier League celebrated its first African player and goal scorer Peter Ndlovu, who was the first African player in the English Premier League when it was founded on February 20, 1992.

Several other African legends have featured in the English topflight in the past including Didier Drogba, Kanu Nwankwo, Yaya Toure, Jay Jay Okocha and a host of others who, have left indelible prints in English football.

Who are the current Africa best XI in the Premier League?

GK: Edouard Mendy

Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is adjudged the best African goalkeeper in the English topflight. The Senegalese joined the Blues in the summer of 2020 and has been superb for the club.

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Edouard Mendy, African goalkeeper, Chelsea, Senegal
Edouard Mendy has been impressive for Premier League club Chelsea. Photo: Visionhaus
Source: Getty Images

Mendy has played a total of 74 matches for Chelsea so far, with Footy Stats reporting that the 30-year-old has conceded 10 goals and kept 1 clean sheet in 9 matches in the Premier League 2022/2023 season.

That means when Mendy is in goal, his team conceded a goal every 76 minutes.

CB: Kalidou Koulibaly

Only last summer did Koulibaly join Chelsea from Italian club Napoli. The Senegalese is already attracting interest from other top clubs in Europe.

He has boldly claimed that Chelsea can win the Premier League title this season by finishing above Arsenal and Manchester City.

As a defender, Kalidou Koulibaly has conceded 12 goals and kept 6 clean sheets in 14 matches in the Premier League 2022/2023 season.

CB: Daniel Amartey

The impressive Ghanaian has been impressive for Leicester City with breathtaking performances in the heart of the defence.

He moved to the King Power Stadium in 2016 and has featured in over a century of matches, scoring two league goals.

Daniel Amartey, Ghana, Premier League, Leicester
Daniel Amartey has been in the heart of Leicester City defense. Photo: Robert Smith
Source: Getty Images

According to Infogol, Daniel Amartey averages 56 passes per match with a pass completion rate of 92% and has 0 assists.

CB: Mohamed Salisu

Another great Ghanaian footballer plying his trade in England. So far this season, the Southampton defender has 4 clean sheets 46 goals conceded; 2 goals 0 own goals; 31 played matches 2654 minutes played.

RWB: Tariq Lamptey

The 22-year-old Brighton and Hove defender has already featured in 16 Premier League matches so far this season.

He is a major part of the club, having joined in 2020. Lamptey prefers to play with his right foot, and he helped the club to keep 7 clean sheets so far this season.

CM: Thomas Partey

On multiple occasions, Partey has been ranked the best midfielder in the English Premier League.

Thomas Partey, Premier League, African footballer, Arsenal
Thomas Partey is one of Africa's best players currently in the Premier League. Photo: Michael Regan
Source: Getty Images

The Arsenal midfielder averages 66 passes per match with a pass completion rate of 87% and has 0 assists.

Thomas Partey has received 2 yellow cards and 0 red cards so far this season.

CM: Wilfred Ndidi

The Nigerian international produces some of the best tackles in the English Premier League, starring in the middle of the pack for Leicester City.

Having grown into one of the best defensive midfielders currently playing the beautiful game, Ndidi's current transfer value is between €20.9million and €34.8million.

LWB: Hakim Ziyech

The Moroccan continues to set the pace for Stamford Bridge club Chelsea. The 29-year-old Ziyech has assisted 1 goal in 10 matches so far in the Premier League 2022/2023 season.

Hakim Ziyech, Chelsea, Premier League, Morocco
Hakim Ziyech has shown class in the Chelsea left-back. Photo: Justin Setterfield
Source: Getty Images

Hakim Ziyech has proven a very good signing for Chelsea from Ajax.

RF: Riyad Mahrez

Mahrez has already been nominated for the Manchester City Player of the Month Award for January following his incredible turn around.

The Algerian has already scored 4 league goals in 15 matches this season as Pep Guardiola credits the forward for the club’s improved performances in recent times.

CF: Mohammed Salah

Salah could be regarded as the best African player currently in the English topflight. The Egyptian has played in every single Liverpool match in the Premier League this season.

Although there are calls for Liverpool to offload the 30-year-old, his contributions for the Reds so far this season cannot be underestimated.

Salah has scored 7 goals in 19 matches so far in the Premier League 2022/2023 season.

LF: Wilfried Zaha

You can trust the Ivorian when it comes to goals. Zaha has netted 6 goals and made two assists so far this season.

Wilfried Zaha, Crystal palace, Premier League, Ivory Coast
Wilfried Zaha has continued to light up the Premier League with goals. Photo: John Walton
Source: Getty Images

He has been crucial for the Eagles since joining them in 2015 scoring 66 goals in 267 English Premier League appearances.

Van Dijk hails Liverpool defense

Sports Brief earlier reported that Virgil Van Dijk has come out to express his satisfaction with Liverpool's defensive options.

Joe Gomez recently extended his contract at Anfield, meaning that Liverpool will once again have four top centre-backs going into the new season.

Van Dijk suffered a nasty injury in the 2019/2020 season but made a strong recovery to retake his position at the centre of Liverpool's defence.

Authors
Babajide Orevba photo
Babajide Orevba
Babajide Orevba is a CAF accredited Nigerian journalist and HOD of the Local Desk with over 10 years of experience in media landscape.He studied NCE Political Science/Social Studies, AOCOED.
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