Yaya Toure has named both Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane in his top ten list of African players to grace the Premier League, though awarded top spot to Didier Drogba.
Toure, who has spent eight years in the English top flight, was a key player during his time in England and claimed six major trophies during his time with Manchester City. Arriving in the Premier League eight years after his brother's arrival at Arsenal in 2002, the pair spent four years as team-mates at City between 2009 and 2013.
Also a four-time African Footballer of the Year during his esteemed career, Toure has shared his opinion on which individuals to have hailed from this continent made the greatest impact in the Premier League.
Selecting Mane in second place and Salah in third in his group of ten players, it was his Drogba who came out on top in the view of the 40-year-old. Previously team-mates at international level for Ivory Coast, Toure awarded the ex-Chelsea striker this honour due to his ability to turn up in big matches over a prolonged period of time.
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Asked why he picked Drogba ahead of Mane in first place, the former City midfielder told the Match of the Day: Top 10 Podcast: “That’s complicated. I think Drogba and what he did, the impact he had in the Premier League, as an African coming into Europe, he was incredible. Chelsea’s introduction in the Premier League was a big factor, before it was United and Arsenal, but Chelsea changed the balance shift. Drogba was always there on the big occasions and big moments for Chelsea - he will be remembered for as long as possible. His impact on the Premier League is huge."
Despite overlooking Mane, Toure expressed his admiration for the now Bayern Munich forward and admitted he asked those in power at City to sign the Senegalese star during his Southampton days. He said: "I always wanted to play with him. When I was at City and he was at Southampton, I was asking some of my superiors to just sign him. After that, Klopp had the eyes to get him and look what he did for Liverpool. He was brilliant.
“I like him as a player and a lad for what he has been doing back in his country. We have been hearing about it and seeing that. He is a really good guy, he always seems happy. He is a positive person. I have never seen someone, from January 1st to December 31st, who is always smiling. His way of dealing with things and the support he gives back to his people is incredible. To be honest, Sadio, I always respect him."
Yaya Toure's top 10 African Premier League players in full:
10. Lauren
9. Kolo Toure
8. Kanu
7. Michael Essien
6. Jay-Jay Okocha
5. Riyad Mahrez
4. Yaya Toure
3. Mohamed Salah
2. Sadio Mane
1. Didier Drogba
