As
the 2013/14 season of the English Premier League kicks off this
Saturday, August 17, Naij.com would like to present the list of 10 top
great footballers from Africa which are going to shine in the new
season.
John Obi Mikel
Is
there a place in the Chelsea midfield for Obi Mikel or will Michael
Essien, who played under Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid last season, be
preferred to the Nigeria international? Mikel also faces competition
from Ramires. The Brazilian has a more robust engine, is a better
box-to-box midfielder and scores goals. Mikel is a competent midfield
‘destroyer’, but is less of a creative influence. A move to Turkey has
been mooted but for now he remains a Chelsea player. Can we expect a
John Obi Mikel reincarnation at the Bridge?
Victor Moses
This
could be Moses’ breakthrough season at Stamford Bridge. Manager Jose
Mourinho has been waxing lyrical about the forward in pre-season. Moses
has already staked a claim to a starting berth with some encouraging
displays on Chelsea’s tours. He is firmly in Mourinho’s plans. The
self-styled Happy One said: “Victor has been terrific, working very
hard. In his position, we have Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Andre
Schurrle, and with Victor, we can change during a match and give new
life to the team.”
Victor Wanyama
Victor
Wanyama is the new African kid on the block. The Kenya international
came of age during Celtic’s memorable run in the UEFA Champions League
last term. Like a colossus, Wanyama strode across the European pitches
patrolling the Hoops midfield with authority. There is tacit acceptance
in the game that his Scottish football transfer record move to
Southampton is a temporary detour en route to a bigger club. He is that
good. Or he is? The season ahead will prove whether he is the real deal
or overhyped.
Wilfried Bony
The
Ivorian is Swansea’s club record signing. He has already hit the ground
running after scoring two goals in the Europa League third qualifying
round home victory over Malmo. He looks the part and every inch worth
the £12m the Swans stumped for his signature. He could be the Premier
League’s surprise package. Bony working in tandem with Michu gives
Swansea a potentially potent partnership that not many Premier League
defenders will relish facing.
Demba Ba
Oh,
what we wouldn’t give for Demba Ba’s thoughts on Jose Mourinho’s very
public pursuit of Wayne Rooney. Reports also claim the Special One
wanted to bring Didier Drogba back to Chelsea but was given short
shrift. Ba looks the most vulnerable of Chelsea’s strikers at the
moment. If the pre-season is a window into the campaign ahead then Ba is
on the periphery. The Senegal international is lower down the pecking
order behind Romelu Lukaku and Fernando Torres, while the likes of
Victor Moses and summer arrival Andre Schurrle can also operate as
strikers. Mourinho has already said he will rotate his players. Ba will
do well to grab his chance when he is picked.
Papiss Cisse
Cisse’s
pre-season has been dominated by how he would not be seen dead wearing
Newcastle’s Wonga-sponsored shirt. The Senegal star argued that the
shirt affronted his Muslim beliefs. After the phony war with the club
came the inevitable truce and Cisse will after all wear a
Wonga-sponsored shirt. There are some among the Newcastle United
faithful who will feel that the striker has a lot to make amends for
when the season gets underway.
Peter Odemwingie
In
limbo at the minute after that much publicised failed moved to QPR on
transfer deadline day in January. Can Odemwingie repair his fractious
relationship with West Brom or is that irretrievably damaged? Can the
Nigeria international play himself back into the Baggies’ first-team
reckoning and manager Steve Clarke’s good graces? On his day Odemwingie
can be devastating. Indeed, Harry Redknapp, never one for
understatements, attributed Rangers’ relegation in part to his failure
to sign Odemwingie.
Sebastien Bassong
A
cult hero at Carrow Road, captain of the Canaries and the club’s
reigning Player or the Year. But for his influence Norwich might have
been relegated long before they avoided the drop right at the death.
Having played for Newcastle and Tottenham, the Cameroon international’s
considerable Premier League experience will be vital to Norwich’s bid to
preserve their Premier League status again this season.
Adel Taarabt
Adel
Taarabt is a maverick talent. On loan at Fulham from QPR he will be
playing under a manager (Martin Jol) who has expressed a willingness to
tinker his tactics to oblige the Morocco international’s maverick
tendencies and match-winning talents. As Fulham captain Brede Hangeland
noted aptly, Taarabt’s talent is ‘unquestionable’. But does he have the
consistency and work ethic to match?
Kagiso Dikgacoi
After
a false start to his Premier League career with Fulham, Dikgacoi has a
second bite of the cherry with top flight new boys Crystal Palace. He
was instrumental in the Eagles’ promotion from the Championship via the
play-offs. Does he have the temperament and talent to play in the
Premier League?
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