Top 5 Best African Players in Premier League History Amid Salah vs Drogba Debate

• The Premier League has been graced by footballers from every corner of the globe, making it the most-watched league in the world
• Africa has also been represented in the league with some great players, including Mohamed Salah and Didier Drogba.
• The debate about who is the greatest African to play in the Premier League continues to divide the fans

Africa has been represented well in the Premier League since it started over 30 years ago.

Most African players to grace the league have won trophies and individual awards and left a lasting memory in their clubs.

Didier Drogba has long been considered the greatest African footballer to play in the Premier League, but some dispute that.

Peter Ndlovu of Zimbabwe opened the door for many African footballers when he became the first African to grace the English top flight in the early 1990s.

The likes of Bruce Grobbelaar, George Ndah, and Efan Okoku are other African players who played in the first-ever season (1992/93).

The number of Africans playing in the league has grown exponentially, but a few players stand out.

Top 5 African players in PL history

5. Riyad Mahrez

The Algerian was part of Pep Guardiola's all-conquering Manchester City side for five seasons, winning four Premier League titles, including the treble in 2023. Before that, he helped Leicester City win the Premier League in 2016, arguably the greatest moment in sports. He scored 82 goals in 282 matches in the league.

4. Sadio Mane

Alongside Salah, Mane made Liverpool the most exciting team in the world. Mane was perhaps under the shadow of Salah, but he has some iconic moments in the Premier League. Only Salah has scored more goals than the Senegalese (111), who also won a Golden Boot. Furthermore, Mane scored the fastest hat-trick in Premier League history while at Southampton.

3. Yaya Toure

Toure was a key part of Manchester City's early dominance in the league. Alongside Sergio Aguero, David Silva, and Vincent Kompany, they famously delivered the league title in 2012, setting the stage for their current dominance. The midfielder scored over 60 goals in the league, and it is rare to find midfielders like him nowadays.

2. Didier Drogba

Drogba's career in the English top flight began a bit later, but he was one of the league's biggest stars from the African continent. His honours at Chelsea include four league titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, and the famous 2012 Champions League title. The retired striker won two Golden Boots during his time in England. He registered 104 goals and 64 assists in 254 games. Drogba was also renowned for scoring in big matches.

1. Mohamed Salah

The Egyptian is the greatest African to play in the Premier League, and he has the statistics and titles to back it up. He has scored 159 goals in the English top flight and has one winners medal. The 32-year-old also has 70 assists, more than any other African player to grace the league. The Pharaohs star has also won three Premier League Golden Boots, more than any other player.

Yakubu picks between Salah and Drogba

Legit.ng earlier reported that Nigerian legend Yakubu Ayiegbeni claimed that Salah cannot be the greatest African to play in the Premier League.

The former Blackburn Rovers striker said the Ivorian was scoring for fun in the league.