Rio Ferdinand has picked Sadio Mane as one of the top five African players in Premier League history. The Manchester United legend has named the former Liverpool star alongside Didier Drogba, Mohamed Salah, Yaya Toure, and Michael Essien.
Ferdinand's YouTube channel, FIVE, discussed the top five African players in Premier League history last month. Ferdinand named his list, but in no particular order. He tweeted:
"I'm going...In no particular order; Drogba, Salah, Mane, Yaya Toure, Essien...Raaaaaa this is hard yenoooo. [Riyad] Mahrez won some trophies. I loved Jay-Jay [Okocha] also… mad player."
Sadio Mane was a key figure at Liverpool since joining them from Southampton in the summer of 2016. He left the Premier League club for Bayern Munich last month for a reported £35 million fee.
Rio Ferdinand on former Premier League star Mane
Rio Ferdinand has spoken about Sadio Mane before and claimed that the Senegal star is a nightmare for defenders to play against. He added that the former Liverpool star has everything in his locker, including strength and pace.
While speaking on BT Sport after Liverpool's 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last season, he said (via Metro):
"Mane is just a nightmare for a defender to play against, awful.. 'He's got everything in his locker. He can out-strength you, out-pace you. He's got guile, quick feet, he's got it all. I love watching him."
Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch was also in the studio and spoke highly of Mane. He said:
"Mane for this goal is special. Strength, awareness, ability and I'll be honest with you I'm not sure if it's a shot or a cross but because it's Trent I feel like you have to give him the benefit of the doubt because he's got that in his locker. We did feel it was a shot but a great reaction from Mane."
Mane spent six seasons at Anfield, scoring 120 goals in 269 matches. He formed a formidable partnership with Salah and Roberto Firmino and guided Liverpool to six trophies, including the Premier League and Champions League.
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Zemimruy
0
rihad over Essie ..He literally carried the foxes into the most unlikely champions u will ever see
Vodbeklny
0
sadio mane Liverpool FC forever legend 💯
Vodbeklny
0
sadio mane is Liverpool FC legend forever ❤️💯 ynwa
wasadeltz
0
not forgetting George
wasadeltz
0
Kolo Toure and Deof
opedamy22
0
what's mane his number
no 17
kiwabdikz
0
what's mane his number
what's s, mane his number in Bayern
kiwabdikz
0
what's mane his number
what's s, mane his number
kiwabdikz
1
what's mane his number
funaklsuz
0
what of kanu
LIVERPOOLIAN_INTER
0
What has been the best player song to ever grace the prem. I’ll tell ya…. It’s Wilfred Bony😜
Evans0323
3
Yakubu not easy to score 100 goals in EPL
Billfon
0
A.song... Mikel Obi
SinawoQhaj
1
Steven Pienaar for Everton👌🏾
Destiny765
0
Nice 👍 one
Nohabiortz
1
Rio has brain... jay Jay was phenomenal
Timbdemn
1
not complete without mahraz
dougiefresh
0
List isn’t complete without Kolo toure
kolo who its top 5 not 50
Sihaimnopy
3
This list can never be complete without Jay Jay Okocha and Nwanko Kanu.
Notblnstuy
0
what of samuel eto'o
etoo came when he was old.performed well at Barcelona
DAT_BOI_JOVAN
6
What we are waiting to see!
Chocboi78
4
List isn’t complete without Kolo toure
yoycdeiknu
1
he is good
yoycdeiknu
1
good
Rahi09
1
Meanwhile Niklas Sule to Durtmund snack pack 1st picture out all the best Niki Officially : sule retire from winning trophies at 26. Good luck my rival friends next season you'll defend against Sane. Mane. Coman.
Hibaimoryz
2
what of samuel eto'o