There have been African players in British football since Arthur Wharton signed with Preston North End in 1886, two years before the Football League started. So, if you thought that having black players in British football was a new thing, you’re in the wrong game.
Cut to 1992 at the start of the Premier League; from day one, African players have been, and continue to be, an integral part of its continued success.
Players from numerous countries across the continent have showcased their skills on England’s top flight stages over the past 30 years. Some have lit up stadiums with dazzling dribbles and goals, becoming fan favorites at their clubs. Others have proven stalwart defensive presences, anchoring championship winning sides.
A number have even achieved legendary status, with trophies and accolades galore to their names. It’s hard to imagine where some clubs would be without the contributions of these African stars.
So, it was somewhat inevitable that we’d be tasked with picking a top ten.
Please bear in mind that there was a very wide choice; we’ve not fixed the results like online slots (are online slots rigged?) We’ve tried to be as objective as possible, but obviously, not everyone is going to agree with our top ten.
So, without further ado, here are the 10 best African football players in Premier League history.
10. Emmanuel Adebayor
A controversial choice for Arsenal fans kicks off the top ten. Back in the day, the striker from Togo could do no wrong in the eyes of the Gunners.
While Adebayor developed an unpopular reputation with Arsenal fans due to his transfer, he should not be defined by that.
The Togolese striker enjoyed his most prolific season in 2007/08 after joining from Monaco in 2006, scoring 30 goals across all competitions. He found the net regularly
After moving to Manchester City in 2009, Adebayor further damaged his standing with Gunners by celebrating a goal against his former club. If this wasn’t bad enough, he then spent four years at Arsenal’s arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Adebayor’s 113 Premier League goals is the second highest tally ever by an African player, demonstrating his quality in front of goal during his prime years in England despite the acrimony of his Arsenal departure.
9. Jay-Jay Okocha
Ah, the heydays of Bolton with Sam Allardyce. That goal against West Ham in 2003, lest we forget those two free kicks in the 2004 League Cup semi-final…
Okay, just because those days are behind them (and we have to say ‘for now,’ of course), memories of Okocha dazzling the crowd with his skills are unforgettable. And whatever the future holds for Bolton, Okocha will always be a legend.
Okocha joined Bolton on a free transfer from PSG in 2002, going on to spend four successful seasons with the club under Sam Allardyce.
During this time, Bolton transformed from relegation candidates into European challengers, helped by Okocha as well as stars like Youri Djorkaeff and Ivan Campo.
Allardyce led the Trotters to four straight top eight finishes and a run to the UEFA Cup Round of 32. Bolton fans enjoyed plenty of magic from Okocha, including a stunning winning goal against West Ham in 2003, two sublime free kicks in the 2004 League Cup semifinal, and his mesmerizing dribbling skills that bewildered defenders. It was a remarkable era for the club thanks to players like
8. John Obi Mikel
John Obi Mikel is one of the most underrated football players of all time, but he’s undoubtedly one of the greatest African players in EPL history.
Mikel first made headlines in England in 2005 when he was pictured in a Manchester United shirt, though a transfer dispute between United and Chelsea followed.
For a year, the two clubs fought over the then-teenager before Chelsea ultimately signed him for £16m. Of that fee, £4m went to his former club Lyn in Oslo while United received the remainder.
It was an investment that paid off for Chelsea. Mikel went on to play over 350 times for the Blues, helping them lift the Champions League title in 2012.
During his nine-year Chelsea career, he won two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, a Europa League, and several League Cups. Before moving to China’s Tianjin TEDA in 2017, Mikel established himself as an important squad player for one of the most successful eras in Chelsea’s history.
7. Michael Essien
He may have been blighted by injury, but no one can take away all the silverware he got from his time at Chelsea in the late 2000s. It’s an impressive haul, too: two Premier Leagues, four FA Cups, the League Cup, and the Champions League.
The Ghanaian is the first African player was to win Chelsea’s Player of the Year award and claimed the club’s Goal of the Season prize twice in three years.
Upon joining Chelsea from Lyon for a then-club record £24.4 million fee in 2005, Essien took home both individual accolades in 2007, repeating as goal winner two years later.
Essien enjoyed hugely successful nine season run with Chelsea where injuries eventually took their toll. However, during his time at Stamford Bridge he helped the club lift two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and notably the Champions League trophy.
He proved to be not only one of the Premier League’s best African imports, but truly one of the top midfielders to grace England’s top flight throughout his prime years. He is also arguably one of the most versatile football players of all time.
He may even be the best midfielder on this page; it may even be fair to say that he’s one of the best midfielders of his generation.
6. Kolo Touré
With two unbeaten seasons with Arsenal and Celtic and a solid performance for both Man City and Liverpool, Ivorian Toure often gets overlooked as one of the great players of recent times.
Maybe he tarnished his reputation at Wigan as a manager, but his reputation as one of the best African players in the Premier League is safe here.
5. Riyad Mahrez
Riyad Mahrez played a pivotal role in what remains one of the most stunning achievements in English football, guiding underdog Leicester City to an improbable Premier League championship in 2015/16.
In doing so, Mahrez became the first Algerian player to earn the elusive winner’s medal from England’s top division, capping a momentous
An astonishing 17 goals in 37 appearances earned Mahrez a PFA Player of the Year award, which is a bit of a ’nuff said’ job.
He helped Leicester win the title in 2015/16, but he also left a successful stint at Manchester City to join Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League. He has been performing well there as well, and us regarded as one of the best soccer players in Saudi Arabia.
When he moved to Manchester City, Mahrez has established himself as one of the most dependable performers globally. He possesses world-class talents such as an exquisite first touch and the pace and skill.
There is no denying his talent, mind you. He’s fast, fun to watch, and an asset to his new club.
4. Sadio Mané
Quickest-ever Premier League hat-trick anyone? That’ll be Sengelese sensation Sadio Mane, who put three away in two minutes and 56 seconds against Aston Villa.
After scoring 13 times in 27 Premier League matches during 2016/17, he also won the coveted Player of the Year award. He bowed out in 2022 but remains one of the Premier League’s all-time greats and a hero to Liverpool fans.
3. Yaya Touré
One of the most dominant midfielders of his era, Kolo’s bro, Yaya, scored 24 times to lead City to a second Premier League title during the 2013/14.
After teaming up with his brother Kolo at Manchester City in 2010, Yaya Toure immediately made an impact in his first Premier League season. He notched eight goals and eight assists as City adapted to their new star midfielder.
Touré went on to score 59 top-flight goals for City total during a decorated career. This included crucial strikes that helped the club capture its first trophy in 35 years as part of the 2011/12 FA Cup run.
He also helped Man City win its first trophy in 35 years; just don’t say he’s any better than his brother.
While he fell out of favor under Pep Guardiola later on, Toure still managed to earn a third league championship with City in 2017/18. At his offensive best, Toure established himself as one of the most of imposing midfield presences ever seen in the Premier League through his goalscoring
2. Didier Drogba
The better they are, the less we need to say.
How about Drogba’s 157 goals in 341 appearances and helping to defeat Bayern Munich for Chelsea’s first-ever Champions?
Didier Drogba made the move to Chelsea in 2004 for a £24m transfer fee. While he struggled early on to adapt, he would go on to cement his status as one of the club’s all-time great players during his first spell before departing.
Across 341 appearances for Chelsea, Drogba found the net 157 times and played a pivotal role in their historic first ever Champions League triumph in 2012 against Bayern Munich.
He rejoined Chelsea for the 2014/15 campaign and helped deliver a fourth Premier League title. This was in addition to four FA Cups and 3 League Cups. In fact, he is one of the most decorated African football players.
Drogba is the ultimate African center-forward in Premier League history. Period.
1. Mohammed Salah
The best African player in the Premier League of all time is none other than Mohammed Salah. Admittedly, Mohamed Salah’s initial foray into the Premier League with Chelsea did not go as hoped.
The Egyptian was signed from Basel in January 2014, he made only 13 top-flight appearances for the Blues before being sent to Serie A.
However, stellar performances over three seasons with Fiorentina and Roma convinced Liverpool to bring Salah back to England for £37 million.
That fee has proven to be an absolute steal, as Salah immediately found success at Anfield. In his first season with Liverpool in 2017-18, he had one of the most remarkable individual campaigns ever seen in the Premier League, scoring 32 goals in 36 appearances.
Right now, he is one of the best wingers in the world.
Salah continued this red-hot form and has cemented his status as a star player for both Liverpool and the English top flight.
The best Player in the Premier League? He’s certainly the top-scoring African Player in the League. And at 31, the young (-ish) Egyptian is far from finished.
Come back to this page in a couple of years, and we bet you he’ll still be at the top.
