The continent's stars dominated the headlines during the opening weekend
of action, but which African player is set to make the biggest splash
during the 2015-16 campaign?
The first week of Premier League action demonstrated exactly why fans
have been pining for the divison's return. The sheer excitement, the
unpredictability, the physicality and finally, the oodles of controversy
that get tongues wagging for days afterwards (thanks, Jose!)
New and old faces alike lit up the opening weekend of action—which
produced 30 goals—with Africans contributing just under a third of all
efforts. It’s safe to say it was a good week for the Mother continent.
Riyad Mahrez, Arouna Kone, Rudy Gestede, Odion Ighalo, Andre Ayew,
Papiss Cisse, Cheikhou Kouyate and Yaya Toure all registered goals for
their respective clubs, to the delight of supporters watching from the
stands in England, or on television sets across Africa.
With 37 matchdays to go, we identify five African players who are set
for major campaigns. Which of these stars are you most excited about
watching this term?
Yaya Toure might have told critics, his manager and the whole world
after his brace on Monday night: “I’m not back–I’m always there”, but
the analysis from last term indicates that last season was poor by the
midfielder’s own lofty standards.
He looked insipid and lethargic, and was sometimes prosaic on the field of play.
The hulking Ivorian was a shadow of his imperious 20-goal season
self, when he was instrumental in Manchester City’s League triumph, two
seasons ago.
He registered just 10 goals last season and appeared set to leave the
Etihad Stadium this summer. No move materialised and Toure remains.
If Monday night’s showing against West Bromwich Albion was anything
to go by, the Cote d’Ivoire international has shown that he may be back
to his best once again.
Yaya Toure, on his day, can be unplayable, with his rampaging runs
and beastly strides from deep alongside his goal-getting skills and
creative abilities.
Can the Champions League winner’s drive from midfield fire City to another Premier League title?
Beyond the odd example of England’s queen, there aren’t too many instances of having more than one birthday.
Newcastle United’s new recruit, Chancel Mbemba has been embroiled in
controversy for much of his career, after being registered with four
birthdays. It took an MRI scan to settle the age discrepancy, confirming
his date of birth as August 8, 1994.
Now that that’s over, we can focus on the player’s undisputed talent.
The DR Congo international has been dubbed the ‘new Vincent Kompany’
by different quarters because of the similarities in their style of
play. Quick to snuff out danger and always defending on the front foot,
Mbemba plays a game that very well belies his age...any of them!
The centre-half is athletic, strong in the tackle and is comfortable with the ball at his feet.
Steve McClaren handed him his debut alongside experienced head
Fabricio Coloccini, and while he was out-jumped by Graziano Pelle for
Southampton’s opener, he grew into the game and showed his class. One
expects the Magpies manager to persist with the youngster at the heart
of the defence.
The early evidence suggests that Andre Ayew and Swansea City may just be a match made in heaven.
The 25-year-old scored the Swans’ first goal at the weekend to put
them back in the game after Oscar had scored for Chelsea, and the Ghana
international looked completely at home and at ease in the top flight.
It’s remarkable that the South Wales outfit were able to snare such an
established performer (and still only 25) when his Marseille contract
came to an end.
Despite the intense pressure that comes with making a debut against
the reigning Premier League champions, Ayew showed calm and composure to
pull the ball back, away from the sprawling defenders and applied the
finish.
The Black Star appeared settled and showed his boundless energy,
covering considerable ground, marshalling play, and putting in a good
defensive shift.
Dede appears to be a safe bet to be a big success in the Premier
League, and the key question now may be just what heights he can left
Swansea to…and how long will he be sticking around!?
While Bolasie’s talent has never been in doubt—specifically his
fleet-footed wizardry—there are question marks regarding his
productivity.
The defects in his game are gradually being ironed out by Crystal
Palace manager Alan Pardew, and in the second half of last season, he
became more prolific than he had been under Neil Warnock.
The 26-year-old helped Palace to a top-10 finish, with his four goals and six assists.
The DR Congo international is blessed with an abundance of pace and
trickery, and many will remember the mouth gaping 360-degree flick
(which is best appreciated when seen) against Tottenham Hotspur that
left Christian Eriksen befuddled last season.
Pardew has been effusive in his praise of the winger who has been linked with several top sides.
When he is in his full pomp, he leaves many a defender in his wake, ghosting past them with his mesmerizing footwork and skill.
His pacey and purposeful runs are an unending menace for opposition
defenders, although it remains to be seen whether the Selhurst Park
faithful will be the long-term beneficiaries of his magnificent
abilities—Tottenham are understood to be keeping tabs on the forward.
Sadio Mane turned heads after he made the move to Southampton last
season for £11.8 million from Red Bull Salzburg on transfer deadline
day.
Little was known about the forward when he joined the Saints,
although his record of 45 goals in 87 games in Austria offered
considerable cause for optimism.
The 23-year-old acquitted himself excellently as he proved to be one
the best buys of the season, weighing in with 10 goals and three assists
in his first season at the St Mary’s. He broke Robbie Fowler’s record
for the fastest hat-trick scored in the top flight, by bagging a treble
against Aston Villa in just two minutes and 56 seconds.
The question now is whether Mane will encounter second-season
syndrome, or whether he can kick on and improve his numbers even
further? Villa certainly won’t be looking forward to their meeting with
the Senegal forward, and neither will Arsenal, against whom he scored an
impudent chip last term.
Which of these players, or indeed of any of Africa’s EPL
stars, are you most looking forward to seeing in action this season?
Comment below and let us know.
Real Madrid duo Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos are expected to return to full training on Tuesday, after recovering from minor injury problems.
It has been a strange summer at Real Madrid. After watching fierce
rivals Barcelona win it all in May and June, a controversial coaching
change, the undignified departure of Iker Casillas and no major signings
as the start of La Liga approaches, Sergio Ramos' renewal is the best
news yet for Los Blancos.
DOSSIER: The two title challengers made contrasting starts to the new
season, but will the champions brush aside recent controversies to
frustrate City yet again?
KRYCHOWIAK A NO-GO? 
BALOTELLI SET FOR LIVERPOOL STAY 
FIVE-YEAR DEAL FOR N’JIE 
DONE DEAL: VILLA SIGN ADAMA 
BIG SAM HITS OUT AT FORMER BOSSES 
RAMOS SAGA OVER 
INJURIES AND SUSPENSIONS UPDATE 
KOULIBALY TO SOUTHAMPTON? 
GAME OF THE WEEKEND 
TRANSFER BLOG = OPEN 
VARDY LATEST 
DONE DEAL: JIMENEZ TO BENFICA 
SUNDERLAND TARGET BORINI 
BAGGIES STRIKERS TO LEAVE 
WATFORD CLOSE IN ON DIAMANTI 
GAYLE TO REJECT MOVE? 
MULLER STAYING PUT? 
HALILOVIC TO HAMBURG 
REAM TO QPR 
DONE DEAL 
DZEKO TRAINS AT NEW CLUB 
JUVE EYE CHELSEA PAIR 
SANOGO SLAMMED AT AJAX 
ZLATAN TO GALATASARAY? 
FOOTBALL LEAGUE DONE DEAL - BRIGHTON SIGN HUNEMEIER 
DONE DEAL - SWANSEA SIGN VICKERS 
FOOTBALL LEAGUE DONE DEAL - KIRKLAND JOINS PRESTON 
