The 2024-25 Premier League season saw African players leave an indelible mark, with Mohamed Salah leading Liverpool to the title and earning Player of the Season honors. Salah’s 29 goals and 18 assists in 38 matches tied him with Alan Shearer and Andy Cole for the most goal involvements in a single season. Other exceptional African talents, from Brentford’s lethal attacking pair to robust defenders, highlighted the continent’s rising prominence in the Premier League.
Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa formed a lethal partnership, with Mbeumo’s career-best 20 goals and seven assists outperforming his expected goals (12.3), ranking him fifth league-wide for chances created (70). Wissa, from DR Congo, scored 19 goals with a strike rate of one every 154.1 minutes, second-best among Africans. Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo hit double figures (11 goals), ranking third league-wide for shots (125) and dribbles (69), while his 211 touches in the opposition box trailed only Salah’s 394.
In midfield, Nigeria’s Alex Iwobi excelled for Fulham with nine goals, six assists, and a leading 59 chances created among Africans. Ghana’s Thomas Partey anchored Arsenal with 1,631 successful passes, while Senegal’s Idrissa Gana Gueye made a league-high 133 tackles for Everton. Brighton’s Cameroonian Carlos Baleba led African midfielders in possession won (197). Defensively, Nigeria’s Ola Aina shone for Nottingham Forest, winning possession 190 times, the most by any Premier League defender, and matching three line clearances. DR Congo’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka topped defenders with 66 interceptions, earning West Ham’s Player of the Season award.
Algeria’s Rayan Ait-Nouri contributed four goals and seven assists for Wolves, and Nigeria’s Calvin Bassey led African defenders in touches (2,536) and passes (1,926). Morocco’s Noussair Mazraoui ranked high for tackles (115) and duels (216) at Manchester United. However, Cameroon’s Andre Onana struggled, with a 66.9% save rate and three errors leading to goals. Ghana’s Mohammed Kudus was dispossessed a league-high 93 times, while Semenyo led Africans in fouls (73) and tied for second in yellow cards (9).
Social media on X buzzed with praise, with posts like, “Salah and Mbeumo are carrying Africa’s flag high!” The season underscored African talent’s versatility, though challenges like discipline and consistency remain.
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