This week we are examining the top 10 players of African origin currently playing for a European club. Understandably we had to take into account both past and present ability on the pitch because we all know that form is temporary and class is permanent! There are without doubt some surprises in this list, so we want to hear what you think about our selections. If you think you would change players around in the pecking order then don’t be afraid to say so, alternatively if you think we have forgotten anyone or you want to banish any of the players from the list then please leave your comments.

10. Yaya Toure


Straight in at number 10 is an Ivorian in the shape of Yaya Toure, one of the Premier League’s brightest new imports. He has joined his brother Kolo at Manchester City for what could be a prolific family partnership. He has already broken a Premier League record by being the only player to score in the same match as his brother, a fantastic compliment to his arrival at Manchester City. He was the first ever Ivorian to play for Barcelona as a defensive midfielder, but has since been incorporated into an attacking midfielder role at City under Roberto Mancini’s management.

In his debut season in the Premier League he has scored four goals, played 21 games and received three yellow cards – highlighting, if anything, that he is aggressive moving forward. As one of City’s highest earners he was an expensive acquisition at £24 million, but they are starting to see a return on investment on the pitch. He has been compared to a young Patrick Vieira on the pitch and demonstrates very similar attributes, he is powerful, tall at 6ft 3in and is a good leader towing the midfield. His former clubs include Olympiacos, Monaco and Barcelona so fans expect a pedigree performer on the pitch. He was born in Bouake, Cote D’Ivoire in 1983 and spent his early youth career at Mimosas between 1996-2001, a club renowned for developing fantastic young talent. Later on in his career he had a trial at Arsenal after playing in Belgium and the Ukraine but could not secure a work permit to play alongside his brother. He has a Champions League (09) medal to his name from his time at Barcelona, so who knows what could be next for the Ivorian at Manchester City? Will they progress in the competition next year? They must get their first with his help….

9. Salomon Kalou


Known in the Chelsea ranks as the ‘deadly bench warmer’, it is Salomon Kalou who has taken the focus of the number nine slot in our countdown of Africa’s top 10 players in Europe. We believe the Ivorian has gone from strength to strength in the Chelsea side, cementing his place in Carlo Ancelotti’s starting line up. He has scored 31 goals in his hugely successful career with Chelsea FC and already this season he has scored 6 of those goals in 18 appearances. He is an important cog in the Chelsea machine due to his prolific goal scoring and assisting record. In the 2009/10 season he nearly acquired a goal to game ratio of one in three.

He enjoys playing on the left but cuts in to strike on his preferred right foot, similar to Malouda he enjoys a wider position but is not afraid to orchestrate a route inside and score goals. Although when comparing both players you will see that Malouda has scored an equal amount of goals with both his right and left, whereas Kalou has scored 18 with his right and 5 with his left. An incredible stat considering he is a left winger! He also enjoys rising above the rest like a salmon to score a clinical header, 8 of which he has scored for Chelsea in all competitions since 2006. Half way through this season he has already equaled his total goal tally from the 07/08 campaign, suggesting there are a lot more goals to come!

He spent the early part of his career moving between Cote D’Ivore and The Netherlands, playing for Mimosas and Feyenoord for three years each – including a loan spell at Excelsior. He was born in Oume, Cote D’Ivoire on the 5th of August 1985, which makes him more of a youngster in the notoriously old Chelsea pensioner side! He impressed for Feyenoord scoring 36 goals in 67 appearances, an incredible goal to game ratio which included 20 goals in the 2004/5 season. Chelsea therefore fought off stiff competition to win his signature and in 2006 they landed their man. He was purchased for around the £9 million mark and he has not looked back since. We salute you salmon, oops sorry, we meant Salomon and welcome to the Capstone Sport Top 10 African players in Europe – you are no.8!

8. Alex Song


Introducing no.8 – a young Cameroon international by the name of Alex Song. Now you might be surprised that Song has made our top 10, but not when you consider the progression he has made in his short Premier League tenure. Song is now a regular starter for Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal, but this has been a long time coming. The player has become a favourite with the fans due to his consistent performances wearing the Gunners shirt. Known commonly as a defensive midfielder he has gradually shown signs of his ability to move forward and score/assist but also track back to put in crunching challenges.

His full name is Alexandre Dimitri Song Billong and he began his Arsenal career as a utility player, able to slot into central defence but also right back. He secured his position as an integral first team player during the 08/09 season and has since come on leaps and bounds. He was voted the most improved player during the 09/10 season by Arsenal fans and before he knew it there was no other choice but to start him in every game. Arsenal are renowned for developing young talent and Song is a perfect example of believing in a player for a long period of time, it is this Wenger master stroke that has ensured the players progression.

Born in Douala, Cameroon in 1987 he has enjoyed a short career, playing at only one other club outside of Arsenal. Bastia became his home for youth football as he progressed from academy, to B team and finally first team football before going on loan to Arsenal. His loan period turned permanent when he impressed Arsene Wenger and despite a short loan move to Charlton he has enjoyed the fruits of North London football ever since. This season he has scored 4 goals already, a 400% improvement on last season and the season prior to that. He continues to be our hot tip for next year so keep an eye out for this great up and coming individual as he continues his journey.

7. Seydou Keita


Our no.7 is Seydou Keita, the Malian man who is currently impressing on the pitch for Barcelona. He is the nephew of former African Footballer of the Year Salif Keita, so he enjoyed a springboard into the game at a young age. His first youth club was his Uncles academy at the ‘Centre Salif Keita’ and from here he went on to play for Lorient, Lens, Sevilla and not forgetting Barcelona. He has spent the largest part of his footballing life at Lens, where he appeared 156 times, scoring 19 goals. Similar to Yaya’s national first, he was the first Malian player to step on the pitch for Barcelona, highlighting Barca’s intent to facilitate a broad array of African players in La Liga.

He is highly regarded for his passing, control, vision and shooting ability in midfield, all of which are essential ingredients for a world class player. When he signed for Barcelona he had a £90 million release clause slapped on his contract, a sure sign that he was regarded highly by the club for the long term.

Keita was born in 1980 in Bamako, Mali and since 2000 he has scored 16 goals at international level, with over 35 goals coming from his domestic campaigns at club level. He came on as a substitute for Barcelona in their Champions League Final win of 2009 and tasted his first Champions League medal. He has secured a respected position in the Barcelona squad, a squad position held amongst some of the world’s greatest players. Playing with the likes of Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol and Villa will only make him an even greater player in seasons to come. He can score and create goals and has been scouted by several Premier League teams but his high buy out clause has fended off the competition despite his initial fee of £14 million from Sevilla. If he is anything like Salif then we could be talking about a future African Player of the Year, but time is running out for the old timer!


6. Kolo Toure

A member of the famous Arsenal ‘Invincibles’ is up next, occupying the sixth spot in our countdown. Now many of you will think that Kolo is surrounded by a sea of youth in this Top 10 but we think he still has what it takes to be a world class defender. Kolo Toure became Manchester City’s sixth signing of a busy summer when he arrived on a four-year contract on July 29, 2009 from Arsenal for a fee of £14million. The Ivorian eventually linked up with his brother for a fantastic new page in the Premier League and what an opportunity to shine once again after falling out of favour at Arsenal. Many will not know that Kolo actually used to be a winger; bizarrely he even started his career at Arsenal as an attacking midfielder. When he eventually locked into his current position he went on to make 225 appearances for Arsenal, including a Premier League title and two FA Cups. As a skilled defender for both club and country he also helped the Ivory Coast to a runners-up position at the 2006 African Cup of Nations and the World Cup finals in SA. Born in Bouake, he made a very cheap transfer to Arsenal on trial from ASEC Mimosas, for a meager £150,000, a price almost unheard of in this day and age. Making a good impression on Arsene Wenger he was gradually incorporated into the Arsenal first team squad like any other young player currently in their ranks. Within three years he had solidified his position at centre back, partnered by Sol Campbell but it was a battle with players like Senderos and Cygan for the coveted position. In 2006 he contributed to 10 straight clean sheets in the Champions League as Arsenal reached the final. However it was here that the side faltered! He now plays defensively alongside the likes of Joleon Lescott, Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany, Alesksandar Kolarov and Micah Richards.

5. Asamoah Gyan


Gyan is another one of the Premier Leagues new boys; he is currently playing his football for Sunderland and has made an impressive start to the season (despite his less than convincing dance moves!). He narrowly missed out on the African Player of the Year to Samuel Eto’o in the 2009/10 year but we are sure this was an extremely flattering position to be in. Gyan plays for Ghana and impressed during the World Cup 2010, the tournament that made him a poster boy for clubs around the world to sign. Ghana became only the third African team in history to reach the tournaments quarter finals and this feat was largely down to Asamoah’s efforts.

He scored in the team’s first game of the tournament to secure a 1-0 win against Serbia, he scored in the next match against Australia to level proceedings 1-1 and then in the last 16 went on to score in extra-time against the USA to take the side through to the quarters. An excellent performance all round for the African outsiders. Next came his most memorable moment of the tournament (for all the wrong reasons), as Ghana were awarded a penalty in the dying embers of the match against Uruguay. Luis Suarez handed the ball on the goal line to deny Ghana the win, up steps Asamoah with the prospect of taking his team to the Semi-finals……, and he misses! A heart stopping moment for the excellent player and a lesson learnt for the future, but undoubtedly he almost single handedly held up the foundations of the Ghana national side.

The past has shown that the Premier League is a hard league for a newcomer, especially as a striker. Look at Shevchenko; he was a different player at Chelsea. That aside, Asamoah has hit the ground running. Since arriving at Sunderland he has scored 7 goals and contributed to a potent attack force. Sunderland are flying high in the league and Steve Bruce puts much of this down to Gyan’s pace and finishing on the attack. He was born in Accra, Ghana in 1985 and has consistently scored in the double figures for each of the clubs he has represented, including; Liberty Professional, Udinese, Modena and Rennes. Sunderland are the most high profile club he has joined, due to the status of the Premier League on the world football scene. He was a club record signing so let’s hope he becomes the clubs record goal scorer in the next few seasons! A well deserved place at no.5 and the long term replacement for Darren Bent…

4. Michael Essien


Our next player needs no introduction, he is the brick wall, he is the tank and he is the Bison, its Michael Essien! The king of support in both attack and defence makes Essien our fourth choice. He is the neighbour of Asamoah Gyan back home in Ghana, born in the same place and playing for the same national team as his counterpart. He is strong, agile and has pace by the bucket load in midfield. The player is gifted with the ability to take on anyone but very few players make it past him. He signed for Chelsea in 2005 for around £24 million and has scored 17 goals in that period, acquiring 20 yellow cards and 2 red cards. Need we say more about his intent to play hard or go home with this disciplinary record?

Born in 1982 with the middle name Kojo he is considered to be one of the best African footballers that has ever lived. He was voted African Footballer of the Year in 2005 and 2006 aswell as BBC African Footballer of the Year in 2006. His most memorable moment came against Arsenal in December 2006 when he scored one of the goals of the season to prevent his side losing their long winning streak at home.

Plagued with injury in the past few years Essien has had to deal with cruciate ligament damage, but he continues to return to his best for Chelsea after each period out in rehabilitation. This year in the 2010/11 season he has been the subject of controversy after making several two foot challenges in a time when referees are clamping down on players coming over the top of the ball. Often referees persecute Essien due to his aggressive nature but we would never take this away from his game, it’s what makes him the Bison!

3. Nwankwo Kanu


Up next is one of the most decorated players in African football. Nicknamed “King Kanu” it is easy to see why he has become one of the most respected players in the game. Born in Owerri, Nigeria, Kanu’s extraordinary talent was spotted while playing for his home-town side of Iwuanyanwu Nationale. His performances turned heads; he opened the scoring in the first minute of Nigeria’s 8-0 thrashing of Canada at the 1993 under-17 World Championships in Japan. Nigeria went on to beat Ghana in the first ever all-African World Championship final, and Ajax signed him up soon afterwards for a Nigerian record fee of $250,000. “It was a bit of a surprise” says Kanu, “but at that time everybody in Africa wanted to go out and play in Europe, so I did”. Kanu debuted for the Dutch giants in 1994, going on to score 25 times in 54 appearances, winning three Dutch league titles, two Dutch Cups and Champions League medal in 1995. In the summer of 1996, at the age of 20, he captained Nigeria at the Olympics, scoring two late goals to upset Brazil in the semi-finals and eventually winning a gold medal after helping his side overcome Argentina in the final!

He later moved to Inter Milan but his progression there was marred by injury and the arrival of Ronaldo. However, Arsene Wenger soon came to the Nigerians aid and helped his career progression. Already known for refining George Weah’s skills whilst at AC Monaco, Wenger signed Kanu in January 1999 for around £4 million. This is the part we all know too well! After a total of 197 appearances, 44 goals, a 2002 double, 2003 FA Cup win and the 03/04 Premiership title it was time for his reign at Arsenal to come to an end in the summer of 2004. Kanu said “When I came to Arsenal it was a gamble and Arsene probably wanted to know if I was going to get back again to good form, as time went by I made it! I was playing again, enjoying my football and scoring goals. I think it was the time when I scored most of my special goals”. After Arsenal Kanu went on to play for West Brom and Portsmouth, winning the FA Cup with Harry Redknapp, the next revolution in Kanu’s career!


2. Didier Drogba


The third Chelsea player in our Top Ten African Players in Europe appears to be in the silver medal position, although he is more of a gold medal winner on the pitch. The Ivorian Didier Drogba has wait for it….won: The Premier League x3, Carling Cup x 2, FA Cup x3, African Footballer of the Year x 1, Community Shield x 2 and has been a finalist in The Champions League/UEFA Cup/African Cup of Nations and The Carling Cup.

These awards make him without doubt one of the most talented men on the planet with an eye for goal as he has contributed more goals than any other Chelsea player. He has a grand total of 93 Premier League goals and 38 European goals for all clubs in European competition. We don’t think we need to say anymore about Didier….he is the King, but who could possibly be better than the King himself?

1. Samuel Eto’o.

THE GOD of African football and our No.1, it can only be – Samuel Eto’o. The most decorated African player of all time has won the African Footballer of the Year four times and is the only player in history to win two Europe Continental Trebles back to back with Inter Milan and Barcelona.

His scoring record for club and country is second to none but his scoring record for Barcelona stands out astronomically from many football records to date. He ironically began his career at Real Madrid, the home of Barcelona’s bitter rivals. From here he was sent on loan to Legandes, Mallorca and Espanyol eventually joining Real Mallorca for a four year spell. It was here that he scored an impressive 60 goals in 146 appearances, but this was just the calm before the goal storm. Joining Barcelona in 2004 was the start of Samuel’s rise to fame and fortune. Between 2004 and 2009 he scored an incredible 130 goals in 200 appearances across all competitions. Of this figure 108 league goals were scored in 145 league appearances leading to 8 trophies including the treble in 2009 (Champions League/La Liga/Copa Del Rey).

He then transferred to Inter Milan for the 2009/10 season in a deal which saw Barcelona pay 46 million Euros plus Eto’o in exchange for Zlatan Ibrahimovic – arguably one of the most bizarre transfers in global football history. Fans must take into consideration Zlatan’s short term tenure at Barcelona and the success that Eto’o was about to provide Internazionale. He joined Jose Mourinho and completed another treble trophy year, winning the Seria A, Coppa Italia and UEFA Champions League (not to mention the Supercoppa Italiana and FIFA Club World Cup) capping off an incredible double club triumph and sealing his name in the history books. He has scored the most goals in The African Cup of Nations history and has won the cup with Cameroon in 2000 and 2002. What more can we say about this complete professional?

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drogba,kanu,kalou in this current season then you must be mad. and another thing this is not top 10 in premier league but in europe. where is those senegal boys that are top scorer, where is emenike. lls kanu number 3 then i knew it was comedy

@ OP,

You must be mad!

Any top 10 African in Europe without Eto, Gervinho and Alex Song as no 1, 2 and 3 respectively is flawed.


My list:

1. Samuel Eto'o Fils
2. Gervinho
3. Alex Song
4. Papa Demba Cisse
5. Moussa Sow
6. Yaya Toure
7. Cheikh Tiote
8. Asamoah Gyan
9. Kwadwo Asamoah
10. Nacer Chadli

Valid points guys but how can you falter consistently brilliant players season in season out, the additional players you have mentioned have not won honours yet. I mean, look at Tiote for example, he is playing for Newcastle, there is a reason he has not been scouted by the top 4/5/6 in the Premier League (the highest league in Europe) - because he is not good enough. If the poll was 'the top ten up and coming African players in Europe' then we would have structured the top ten similar to yours Ibime. You must remember that Kanu is still playing football, he has played for so long and achieved so many honours that he must not be forgotten about, when he retires then you can fill his place with someone else!

Guys we have moved this discussion to the European Football (EPL, UEFA, La Liga) forum area, come and get invovled!

Kanu has no place on this list!

Kanu, Kalou, Keita and Kolo Toure should make way for Andre Ayew, Papiss Cisse, Gervinho and Souleymane Diawara with Kwadwo Asamoah, Kevn Prince Boateng, Didier Ya Konan, Cheikh Tiote and Moussa Sow in contention.