Yakubu Ayegbeni Picks Best African Player in Premier League History, Snubs Salah
by by Richard Nutakor · YEN.com.gh News · Join- A long list of African players from different footballing eras have left indelible marks on the English Premier League
- Mohamed Salah and Didier Drogba among others are some of the few African players who have featured in the league
- Former Nigerian striker, Yakubu Ayegbeni, has named whom he considers the best African to play in the EPL
PAY ATTENTION: Follow YEN's WhatsApp channel for a daily dose of breaking news on the go!
Since the rebranding of the English Premier League (EPL) in 1992, numerous players, particularly Africans, have gone on to leave their mark on the league.
From Austin Jay-Jay Okocha to Nwankwo Kanu, the Toure brothers—Kolo and Yaya—to Emmanuel Adebayor and Riyad Mahrez, several African players have made a lasting impact on what is widely regarded as the best football league in the world.
Among these football stars, a few stand out as exceptional talents. Two players who have consistently risen above the rest are Mohamed Salah and Didier Drogba.
Source: Getty Images
These two have often been hailed as the best African players to ever grace the Premier League and arguably among the greatest to have played in English football.
Debates frequently arise about who is the best African player in Premier League history, with Salah and Drogba at the centre of the discussion.
However, in a recent interview, former Super Eagles striker, Yakubu Ayegbeni, shared his view on who he believes is the better player between the two.
Yakubu picks between Salah and Drogba
In an interview as captured by ESPN Africa, the 41-year-old former striker, who himself scored over 100 goals during his Premier League career, expressed his preference for the Ivorian icon, Drogba over Salah.
"You cannot say Salah is the greatest African player to play in the Premier League. Drogba was something special; he was scoring for fun," Ayegbeni remarked.
According to Premier League statistics, Drogba amassed impressive numbers in 254 appearances, 104 goals, 55 assists, two Golden Boots, and four Premier League titles during his 11-year tenure.
Salah, on the other hand, has so far recorded 265 appearances, 159 goals, 70 assists, three Golden Boots, and one Premier League title in his ongoing career in the league.
Comparing Jackson and Drogba's stats
YEN.com.gh in another report stated that Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson recently had a back-and-forth with retired Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel, who criticised his finishing.
The Senegal international has a turbulent but decent first season at Chelsea after a worrying start.
He ended the season as one of the club's top scorers, and as the lead striker this season, he will be under pressure to deliver goals again.
PAY ATTENTION: Stay informed and follow us on Google News!
Source: Legit.ng