20 Best African Players in Premier League History [Ranked]

In brief
Since 1992, a number of outstanding African football players have dominated the Premier League.
One quickly thinks of the game’s icons, such as Yaya Toure, Mohamed Salah, and Didier Drogba.
Based on a number of ranking criteria, such as longevity, trophies, goals scored, and more, the top 20 have been arranged in order.
Some of the best African football players of the last thirty or more years have played in the Premier League. When considering the African players that have dominated English football since 1992, names like Didier Drogba, Mohamed Salah, and Yaya Toure instantly come to mind.

These players, along with numerous more from the continent, have contributed to the Premier League being perhaps the greatest football division in the world and one of the most valuable sporting brands in the world. However, which African players from the Premier League era are the best?

We’ve put together an extensive list that considers a number of rating criteria, such as goals, longevity, individual honours, and so forth. See the complete list of rating factors below.

Factors that rank
We carefully considered the following when creating the top 20 list:

Individual Awards Longevity Trophies Goals Help Clean Sheets (Goalkeepers/Defenders)
The Premier League’s Top 20 African Players

Rank

The player

Place

The country

Clubs

One

Salah Mohamed

Winger

Egypt

Liverpool and Chelsea

2.

Toure Yaya

A midfielder

The Ivory Coast

City of Manchester

3.

Didier Drogba

Attacker

The Ivory Coast

Chelsea

4.

Mane Sadio

Winger

Senegal

Liverpool and Southampton

5.

Mahrez Riyad

Winger

Algeria

Manchester City and Leicester City

6.

Essien, Michael

A midfielder

Ghana

Chelsea

7.

The Aubameyang Pierre-Emerick

Attacker

Gabon

Chelsea and Arsenal

8.

Jay-Jay Okocha

A midfielder

Nigeria

Bolton

9.

Toure Kolo

Protector

The Ivory Coast

Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal

10.

Adebayor, Emmanuel

Attacker

Togo

Crystal Palace, Tottenham, Manchester City, and Arsenal

11.

Zaha, Wilfried

Winger

The Ivory Coast

Manchester United, Cardiff City, and Crystal Palace (loan)

Twelve

Kanu Nwankwo

Attacker

Nigeria

Portsmouth, West Brom, and Arsenal

13.

Lauren

Protector

Cameroon

Portsmouth and Arsenal

14

Mikel, John Obi

A midfielder

Nigeria

Chelsea

15.

Ayegbeni Yakubu

Attacker

Nigeria

Blackburn Rovers, Everton, Middlesbrough, and Portsmouth

16

McCarthy, Benni

Attacker

South Africa

West Ham and Blackburn Rovers

17

Yeboah, Tony

Attacker

Ghana

Leeds United

18

Kalou, Salomon

Attacker

The Ivory Coast

Chelsea

19.

Radebe, Lucas

Protector

South Africa

Leeds United

20

Pienaar, Steven

Winger

South Africa

Sunderland, Tottenham, and Everton

20 Steven Pienaar Teams: Sunderland, Tottenham, and Everton

The South Africa international had moments when he was outstanding, especially at Everton, where he played his greatest game, even though he wasn’t always outstanding throughout his stint in the Premier League. In January 2011, the talented winger passed up Chelsea to sign with Tottenham, but his transfer to White Hart Lane didn’t work out.

Pienaar was only able to make a few games at Spurs before returning to Goodison Park on loan and eventually joining the Toffees permanently. If he had chosen to transfer to Stamford Bridge rather than Tottenham, he might have placed higher on this list of African greats, but nobody will ever know.

Premier League statistics for Steven Pienaar

Looks

214

Objectives

20

Helps

32

Leeds United is one of 19 Lucas Radebe’s Premier League clubs.

After being relegated in 2004, Leeds United spent nearly 20 years outside of the top division of English football, but the team’s fortunes weren’t always that dire. During his eleven-year tenure in West Yorkshire, Lucas Radebe led the team to the 2000 Champions League semifinals.

Even after the South African centre-back turned down a move to Old Trafford, Ferguson, the former manager of Manchester United, was a huge fan. Between 1992 and 2003, Radabe also played for South Africa 70 times, contributing two goals during that time. Even if he hasn’t won a Premier League championship, he was unquestionably a top defender in his prime.

Premier League statistics for Lucas Radabe

Looks

197

Objectives

0

Helps

0

Clean Sheets

57

18 Salomon Kalou Chelsea is a Premier League club.

Because he played a majority of his time at Chelsea as a replacement, Salomon Kalou doesn’t usually receive much credit. Nevertheless, the Ivorian forward was a manager’s dream because of his outstanding performance when it came to having an effect from the bench. While many football players suffer if they don’t start every game, Kalou was always eager to contribute when asked.
In Kalou’s final game for the west London team, Chelsea won their first-ever Champions League trophy, four FA Cups, and the Premier League once during his six years there. It’s a good way to say goodbye.

The Premier League stats for Salomon Kalou

Looks

156

Objectives

36

Helps

23

Premier League championships

One

17
Leeds United is one of Tony Yeboah’s Premier League clubs.

Tony Yeboah is among the greatest players in the league when it comes to consistently scoring goals of the highest calibre. Highlights of some of the incredible goals the Ghanaian scored during his two and a half years playing football for Leeds United in England will have been seen by even younger Premier League fans.

Who could forget his incredible volley that struck the crossbar and crashed in against Liverpool? During his tenure at Elland Road, the striker was a clear favourite among the supporters, scoring about one goal every two games.

The Premier League stats of Tony Yeboah

Looks

47

Objectives

24

Helps

3.

Awards for Player of the Month

2. (September 1995, March 1995)

16Benni McCarthy

Premier League clubs: Blackburn Rovers, West Ham

Benni McCarthy joined Blackburn Rovers in 2006, just a few years after he and Porto, under Jose Mourinho’s leadership, won the Champions League. Although he got off to an exciting start, his move to the 1995 Premier League winners didn’t exactly go as planned.

His debut season’s 18 goals were sufficient to persuade supporters that he will produce even better goals in the future. That didn’t exactly work out, though. In 2010, McCarthy moved back to his home country of South Africa to play out his remaining years after leaving Rovers for West Ham.

Premier League statistics for Benni McCarthy

Looks

120

Objectives

37

Helps

6.

15 Yakubu Ayegbeni’s teams include Blackburn Rovers, Everton, Portsmouth, and Middlesbrough.

“The Yak will score if you feed him.” During his tenure in the Premier League, he accomplished that on 95 occasions. In the history of the league, only 35 players have scored more goals than Yakubu Ayegbeni, which is quite remarkable considering he never played for one of England’s top teams.

Before winning a transfer to Portsmouth in 2003, the Nigerian striker initially attracted attention in the Champions League with Israeli team Maccabi Haifa. Before relocating to China in 2012, the stocky center-forward played for a number of other English teams after quickly establishing his ability to score goals in the Premier League.

Statistics for Yakubu Ayegbeni in the Premier League

Looks

252

Objectives

95

Helps

26

14 Chelsea Premier League clubs: John Obi Mikel

It remains one of the most bizarre stories in football: After appearing certain to sign with Manchester United, John Obi Mikel joined Chelsea; the Blues were accused of “kidnapping” the player during talks. The player later denied the allegations, though. Together with the previously mentioned Kalou, the Nigerian midfielder won the Premier League thrice and the Champions League during his little less than ten years with the London team.

Breaking up rival attacks and passing the ball to the forward-thinking players around him were essential for the position of defensive midfielder. He was an excellent operator, as evidenced by the fact that he made over 300 appearances during a time when Chelsea had an abundance of midfield skill.

Statistics for John Obi Mikel in the Premier League

Looks

249

Objectives

One

Helps

10.

Titles in the Premier League

2.

13 Lauren Premier League teams: Portsmouth and Arsenal

Lauren had a good career in England after replacing long-time right-back Lee Dixon at Arsenal. The Cameroon international finally made his way into discussions regarding the greatest players in his position in Premier League history after being a member of the storied ‘Invincibles’ squad of 2003–04.

Lauren was even a member of Portsmouth’s winning squad in the 2007–08 FA Cup season, which defeated Cardiff City in the final, West Brom in the semifinals, and Manchester United in the quarterfinals. After a brief stay with Cordoba in Spain, he finished his career in 2010.

The Premier League stats of Lauren

Looks

184

Objectives

2.

Helps

8.

Clean Sheets

63

Titles in the Premier League

2.

12 Nwankwo Kanu Premier League teams: Portsmouth, West Brom, and Arsenal

It was difficult to understand how 6′ 6″ Nwankwo Kanu managed to move so gracefully and elegantly on the football ground. After winning several Dutch championships and the Champions League with Ajax, he had a lacklustre stint with Inter Milan until being signed by Arsene Wenger in 1999.

Before he and Lauren won the FA Cup with Portsmouth in 2008, the Nigerian striker gained two league crowns with Arsenal to his collection of trophies. One of the Premier League’s greatest cult heroes, Kanu is frequently spotted playing with a broad smile on his face and is entertaining to watch when he’s feeling good.

Premier League statistics for Nwankwo Kanu

Looks

273

Objectives

54

Helps

29

Titles in the Premier League

2.

11 Wilfried Zaha Premier League teams: Cardiff City, Manchester United, and Crystal Palace (loan)

Wilfried Zaha was born in Ivory Coast, but he has played for both England and the African nation on the international front. After an unsuccessful transfer to Manchester United, he eventually returned to Crystal Palace, where he became one of the most entertaining wingers in the Premier League. Before choosing to join Turkish powerhouse Galatasaray in 2023, he achieved legendary status with the Eagles. He is currently on loan at Lyon.

Every time the electrifying winger had the ball at his feet, Premier League supporters were expecting something to happen. He will always hold a particular place in the hearts of every Palace fan, even though he chose to leave Selhurst Park and English football.

Premier League statistics for Wilfried Zaha

Looks

305

Objectives

68

Helps

29

Awards for Player of the Month

1 (April 2018)

10 Emmanuel Adebayor Premier League teams: Crystal Palace, Tottenham, Man City, and Arsenal

From being an idol to the Arsenal supporters, Emmanuel Adebayor became an enduring foe of the team. The Togolese striker solidified his place among the Premier League’s elite attackers with thirty goals in his first season in England.
After making a spectacular move to Manchester City in 2009, he scored against his old team and created one of the most famous (and notorious) celebrations in Premier League history. He ran the entire length of the pitch to celebrate in front of the angry travelling Arsenal supporters. Adebayor then went to bitter rivals Tottenham in 2012, just when everyone believed he could not further damage the Gunners’ reputation.

Premier League statistics for Emmanuel Adebayor

Looks

241

Objectives

97

Helps

36

9 Kolo Toure Premier League teams: Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal

Kolo Toure, who has played in two consecutive undefeated seasons (once with Arsenal and once with Scottish powerhouse Celtic), is frequently disregarded when discussing the top defenders of his generation.

Before leaving the league in 2016, Toure was a reliable back for both Manchester City and Liverpool in addition to his stellar play at Arsenal. A year after his stint at Celtic, the former Ivory Coast international retired from playing and went on to become a coach, working for Brendan Rodgers at both Celtic and Leicester City. He also managed Wigan Athletic for a while, although the Latics lost all nine of his games under his leadership.

The Premier League statistics for Kolo Toure

Looks

352

Objectives

Twelve

Helps

10.

Clean Sheets

108

Titles in the Premier League

2.

8 Okocha Jay-Jay
Clubs in the Premier League: Bolton Wanderers

Undoubtedly one of the most flamboyant and entertaining players of the Premier League era, Jay-Jay Okocha is so excellent that he was nominated twice. Supporters of Bolton Wanderers would do anything to return to the early 2000s, when Sam Allardyce was their manager and they had players like Okocha, Youri Djorkaeff, and Fernando Hierro.

Bolton fans never got weary of seeing Okocha, who is arguably their most talented player ever, perform at Reebok Stadium. The Nigerian player’s free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain to the English team was unexpected, but he didn’t let anyone down while he was there.

The Premier League stats of Jay-Jay Okocha

Looks

124

Objectives

14

Helps

11.

Awards for Player of the Month

1 (November 2003)

7 Premier League teams with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: Chelsea and Arsenal

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored 69 goals throughout stints with Chelsea and Arsenal, with all but one of those goals coming for the red-clad London team. The former Borussia Dortmund player shown his versatility and finishing ability during his turbulent time in England by playing at the Emirates Stadium as both a central striker and a left-winger.

It wasn’t a major surprise when the former Gabon captain left Stamford Bridge for Marseille in 2023 because his time at Chelsea was a painful failure. He only managed one goal in 15 Premier League appearances, which was incredibly low for a striker of his calibre.

Premier League statistics for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Looks

143

Objectives

69

Helps

16

Awards for Player of the Month

2 (September 2019; October 2018)

Golden Boot in the Premier League

1 (2018–19)

Chelsea is one of Michael Essien’s Premier League clubs.

Indefatigable midfielder Michael Essien played a key role for Chelsea in the mid-to-late 2000s and early 2010s, winning a tonne of awards in his nine years in west London. The former Ghanaian international had won the Premier League twice, four FA Cups, the League Cup, and the Champions League by the end of his career at Stamford Bridge.
The remarkable influence Essien made during his tenure at the top level, especially early on at Chelsea, was more than enough to keep him near the top of this list, even though injuries ended his career a little earlier than anticipated.

Premier League statistics for Michael Essien

Looks

168

Objectives

17

Helps

10.

Titles in the Premier League

2.

Five Premier League teams led by Riyad Mahrez are Manchester City and Leicester City.

During his time playing English football, Riyad Mahrez was one of the Premier League’s most talented wingers. He played a significant role in Manchester City’s historic treble-winning team in the 2022–2023 season. Mahrez, who was reminiscent of offensive wide men from earlier eras, was always eager to rush at the opposition full-back to set up opportunities for himself and his teammates.

Along with N’Golo Kante and Jamie Vardy, Mahrez was arguably the greatest player in Leicester City’s historic Premier League title victory in 2016. In 2023, he departed England for Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia, having won five Premier League winners’ medals.

The Premier League statistics for Riyad Mahrez

Looks

284

Objectives

82

Helps

61

Titles in the Premier League

5.

4 Southampton Mane Premier League teams: Liverpool and Southampton

Sadio Mane, one of the best Premier League players of the late 2010s and early 2020s, just loses out on a spot in the top three, demonstrating the sheer number of excellent African football players who have graced the league throughout the years.

The Senegalese international started his career in the Premier League with Southampton, where he set a record in May 2015 by scoring the fastest Premier League hat-trick ever in a scorching two minutes and 56 seconds. When Louis van Gaal was in charge at Old Trafford, Mane was linked to a move to Manchester United. However, he ultimately joined the Red Devils’ bitter rivals, Liverpool, where he played a key role in the Reds’ first league championship in thirty years. With 111 goals, the forward is the second-highest scoring African player in Premier League history.

Premier League statistics for Sadio Mane

Looks

263

Objectives

111

Helps

38

Awards for Player of the Month

3 (March 2019, November 2019, August 2017)

Golden Boot in the Premier League

1 (2018–19)

Titles in the Premier League

One

3 Didier Drogba Chelsea is a Premier League team.

Few could have predicted when Chelsea signed Didier Drogba in 2004 that the Ivorian would go on to become one of the most recognisable forwards in Premier League history and possibly the best player the Blues have ever had.

African legend Drogba will always be among the first names brought up in discussions regarding Chelsea’s greatest players since the Premier League’s founding, despite his periods of unreliability, especially when he initially signed. Only 31 players in history have scored more goals in England’s top division (since 1992) than Drogba, who has 104 top-flight goals, all of which have been scored for the Blues.

Premier League statistics for Didier Drogba

Looks

254

Objectives

104

Helps

55

Golden Boot in the Premier League

Secondly, 2006/07, 2009/10

Two Premier League Yaya Toure teams are Manchester City.

Premier League statistics for Didier Drogba

Looks

254

Objectives

104

Helps

55

Golden Boot in the Premier League

Secondly, 2006/07, 2009/10

Two Premier League Yaya Toure teams are Manchester City.
African legend Drogba will always be among the first names brought up in discussions regarding Chelsea’s greatest players since the Premier League’s founding, despite his periods of unreliability, especially when he initially signed. Only 31 players in history have scored more goals in England’s top division (since 1992) than Drogba, who has 104 top-flight goals, all of which have been scored for the Blues.

Premier League statistics for Didier Drogba

Looks

254

Objectives

104

Helps

55

Golden Boot in the Premier League

Secondly, 2006/07, 2009/10

Two Premier League Yaya Toure teams are Manchester City.

It wasn’t a major surprise when Yaya Toure signed with Manchester City in 2010—a time when other elite players were also being enticed to the Etihad Stadium—because, despite his success at Barcelona, he never felt like he was valued at Camp Nou. The former Ivory Coast international ended up dominating the Premier League and winning Man of the Match accolades for fun, but at the time, it felt like a coup for City.

In addition to being one of the most physically intimidating players in Premier League history, Toure was also one of the most technically talented players we have ever had the honour of witnessing. He is a massive midfielder.

Statistics for Yaya Toure in the Premier League

Looks

230

Objectives

62

Helps

32

Titles in the Premier League

3.

1 Mohamed Salah Chelsea and Liverpool are Premier League clubs.

It would be a huge understatement to suggest that Mohamed Salah has surpassed expectations since joining Liverpool. Since joining the Reds from AS Roma in 2017, he has been nothing short of extraordinary. Due to his prior struggles at Chelsea, there were originally concerns when Jurgen Klopp signed the Egyptian attacker. However, the world-class forward quickly made an impression at Anfield.
Salah scored his 150th goal in just 247 games, becoming him the highest-scoring African player in Premier League history. The only players that accomplished that feat more quickly were Thierry Henry, Harry Kane, Sergio Aguero, and Alan Shearer. Among the best players in the Premier League’s history? Definitely.

Premier League statistics for Mohamed Salah

Looks

283

Objectives

175

Helps

82

Golden Boot in the Premier League

In 2017–18, 2018–19, and 2021–2022,

Seasonal Player of the Year

1 (2017–18)

Titles in the Premier League

One