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African footballers have lit up Europe's football leagues in the past and have a knack for leaving behind ever-lasting memories. Didier Drogba won 4 Premier League trophies and 1 Champions-League trophy while breaking several records at Chelsea. The Ivorian is considered being one of the greatest Chelsea players ever.
Samuel Etoo was part of Barcelona's deadly attacking trio of Lionel Messi and Thiery Henry that won a famous treble in 2009 under Pep Guardiola. African players have made a mark in European leagues and currently, have some of the best players in European top leagues.
Here is a look at the Top 5 African performers in Europe this season:
If it seems that there is a heavy PL bias, it is because some of the best players have moved to the PL this season and it skews the math heavily in England's favour.
#5 Thomas Partey (Ghana & Atletico Madrid)
Partey has developed into one of the finest defensive midfielders in La Liga this season. Since joining Atletico Madrid in 2011 as a youngster linking up with the club's reserves and a series of loan spells to RCD Mallorca & Almeria, Partey has now become a core of Diego Simeone's starting XI.
Partey has featured 24 times for the Los Rojiblancos in La Liga missing only two matches as Atletico Madrid are mounting a serious title challenge this season - they sit second in the table and 5 points behind leaders Barcelona with a crunch tie against the leaders later today.
Partey averages an 83% passing accuracy per game, winning 53% duels and averaging 3 defensive actions per game. He has also found back of the net thrice, which is a very good return for a defensive midfielder.
#4 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon & Arsenal)
Aubameyang developed into a world class attacker while at Borussia Dortmund where he was linked with moves to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and European giants Real Madrid.
Auba was named Bundesliga player of the year in 2015-2016 season and was the top scorer last season in the division with 31 goals in 32 league appearances for BVB. He scooped the African player of the year gong in 2015.
Aubumayeng was at his brilliant best this season again for Borussia Dortmund scoring an impressive 21 goals in 24 appearances, before sealing a £56 Million January move to Arsenal becoming the Gunners' record signing.
Aubameyang is still settling in at Emirates as he has only managed to score 1 goal in 4 appearances for Arsene Wenger's side, but once he hits form it will be a sight to behold for the spectators and one to dread for the defenders.
#3 Riyad Mahrez (Algeria & Leicester City)
Mahrez has been a revelation since joining Leicester City in 2013 from French Ligue 2 side Le Havre. He was integral in Leicester City's title winning season where he was crowned PFA player of the season.
Riyad has hit top form under Claude Puel - netting 9 goals, providing further 7 assists and creating 40 chances in 27 premier league appearances for the Foxes. Puel was appointed to replace Craig Shakespeare after Leicester City had a slow start to the season and were languishing in the relegation zone.
Mahrez has been the inspiration for the Foxes with mesmerizing performances, snatching late equalizers and winners as Leicester sit 8th in the premier league standings 3 points off 7th placed Burnley who occupy the last Europa League qualification spot.
#2 Sadio Mane (Senegal & Liverpool)
Sadio Mane has developed under Jurgen Klopp to become one of the Premier Leagues' most exciting attackers since joining the Kop side from Southampton in 2016, linking up with familiar faces like Dejan Lovren and Nathaniel Clyne who are also from St. Mary's.
Mane is part of Liverpool fearsome front three with Firmino & Mohamed Salah that is terrorizing defenses both in the premier league and the Champions League, as the three have scored 68 goals.
Mane has scored 14 goals in all competitions surpassing the 13 goals he scored in all competitions last season with many more matches still to be played.
He has notched 6 assists so far, plus creating 33 chances this season. Mane's hat-trick in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match against Porto gives Liverpool a huge advantage as they head into the second leg.
#1 Mohamed Salah (Egypt & Liverpool)
Mohamed Salah has taken the Premier League by storm since joining Liverpool in the summer for just €42 million from AS Roma. Salah looks to be the bargain of the century with the current crazy transfer market, and is arguably the best summer signings in all of Europe this season.
Salah has scored an impressive 26 goals in 29 premier league appearances for the Reds. He sits top of the Premier League golden boots race with Tottenham striker Harry Kane.
Moh Salah has 8 assists and has created 48 chances for the Reds as they sit second in the Premier League table though winning the premier league this season is close to impossible. But considering his form, the Egyptian might be on course to helping the Reds restore their previous glory.
