Mohamed Salah – Egypt
The greatest African player in Premier League history. Salah arrived from Roma in 2017 and has never stopped scoring.
He holds the record for the most Premier League goals by an African player, with 191 goals in 311 appearances for Liverpool. His 32-goal debut season remains one of the finest individual campaigns the competition has seen. He announced his departure from Liverpool in March 2026, ending one of the great individual eras in the club’s history.
Didier Drogba – Ivory Coast
Four Premier League titles, four FA Cups and 164 goals for Chelsea. Drogba was the most physically dominant striker of his generation.
He scored nine goals in 10 cup finals for Chelsea and famously equalised in the 2012 Champions League final before converting the winning penalty. The defining figure of Chelsea’s golden era.
Yaya Toure – Ivory Coast
The most powerful midfielder of the Premier League era. Toure scored 20 league goals in 2013-14 – an extraordinary return for a central midfielder.
His driving runs from deep became one of the signature images of the competition’s most dominant decade as he powered Manchester City to two league titles.
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Sadio Mane – Senegal
Mane holds the record for the fastest hat-trick in Premier League history – scored in two minutes and 56 seconds for Southampton against Aston Villa in 2015.
At Liverpool he formed one of the most feared attacking partnerships the league has seen alongside Salah, winning the Champions League, Premier League title and both domestic cups.
Riyad Mahrez – Algeria
One of the most naturally gifted wide players in Premier League history. Mahrez was the architect of Leicester City’s miraculous 2015-16 title win, winning PFA Player of the Year that season.
He went on to win four more titles with Manchester City, finishing his Premier League career with five championships.
Kolo Toure – Ivory Coast
The elder Toure brother holds the distinction of winning the Premier League with two different clubs – Arsenal’s Invincibles in 2003-04 and Manchester City in 2012.
A tenacious and technically gifted centre back who gave 14 years of consistent service to the top flight.
Michael Essien – Ghana
One of the most complete midfielders Chelsea have ever had. Essien arrived from Lyon in 2005 and immediately became the engine of their most successful era.
His thunderbolt against Arsenal in 2006 remains one of the great Premier League goals.
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Jay-Jay Okocha – Nigeria
“So good they named him twice.” Okocha brought joy and spectacle to Bolton Wanderers in the early 2000s, making one of the less glamorous clubs in the division must-watch television every week.
A free transfer from PSG that produced some of the most skilful football the Premier League has ever seen.
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Lucas Radebe – South Africa
One of the few South Africans to make a genuine impact in the Premier League, Radebe captained Leeds United across 11 years and over 200 appearances.
Nelson Mandela described him as “my hero.” Sir Alex Ferguson tried to sign him and was turned down. His legacy at Elland Road remains unmatched.
Photo: Reuters / Dylan Martinez
