England will battle with Senegal on Sunday evening in an effort to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Qatar.
The Three Lions booked their place in the knockout rounds having topped their group ahead of the USA, Iran and fellow home nation Wales. Meanwhile, Aliou Cisse’s Lions of Tiranga did excellently to progress having finished just one point behind the Netherlands in Group A.
Whilst the clash is a real opportunity for Gareth Southgate ’s England, the reigning African Cup of Nations champions are still blessed with talent including a few faces that would be familiar to fans of the Premier League.
Meet those members of the Senegal squad aiming to plot the downfall of a few of their club teammates and cause what would be an almighty shock...
Edouard Mendy (Chelsea)
Starting strong, Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has been Senegal’s first-choice between the sticks over the past year. Whilst the former Rennes man has not been at top form this season - or indeed at the World Cup itself - he still has plenty of ability.
He was named the Champions League Goalkeeper and Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper for the 2020/21 season as Chelsea lifted their second European crown under Thomas Tuchel. Mendy will be coming up against Chelsea teammates Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling and Conor Gallagher so will certainly be aiming to keep the trio at bay.
What England XI should Gareth Southgate select against Senegal? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Kalidou Koulibaly (Chelsea)
Sticking with the theme of Chelsea players, Blues defender Koulibaly has been a mainstay of the Senegal side since his debut back in 2015. The 31-year-old has managed to accumulate 67 caps in the time since.
He has been the captain of his country since 2019 with his starring performances at Napoli having earned the centre-back the honour. Despite his exemplary service to the Lions of Teranga, Koulibaly had to wait until his last game to score his first goal for his country having netted the winner against Ecuador.
He had already managed to get off the mark for Chelsea earlier this season having scored in a draw with local rivals Tottenham amid a difficult start to the season for the defender following his big-money switch from Italy.
Idrissa Gueye (Everton)
A 99-time Senegal international, Everton midfielder Gueye could potentially chalk up a century of appearances should he appear against England. The 33-year-old only returned to Goodison Park in the summer after a spell with French giants Paris Saint-Germain.
During his time at the Parc des Princes, he lifted two Ligue 1 titles to go with his previous winners’ medal that he scooped up during his stint with Lille in 2011. Despite Everton having endured a difficult start to the campaign with just three Premier League wins to their name, Gueye has been a positive addition to the side.
He has started nine out of the ten games he has been available for on Merseyside and has thus far played every minute in Qatar.
Cheikhou Kouyate (Nottingham Forest)
Another veteran of the Premier League, utility man Kouyate signed for his third top-flight club in England in the summer having joined newly-promoted side Nottingham Forest. He had previously enjoyed excellent stints with West Ham United and Crystal Palace.
The 32-year-old has 84 appearances for Senegal to his name although it appears unlikely that he will add to that total against the Three Lions. Kouyate missed training on Thursday having been stretchered off with what looked like a serious injury in Senegal’s opening game against the Netherlands.
Nampalys Mendy (Leicester City)
A previous club record signing, most will be forgiven for forgetting that Nampalys Mendy was still a Premier League player. The midfielder remains at Leicester having been signed in the aftermath of their title win but has never quite managed to establish himself in the first-team.
He has enjoyed far better luck on the international stage over the past year. The former Monaco and Nice star only declared for Senegal in 2021. He played a key role in the nation’s AFCON victory last year and the 30-year-old has continued that over in Qatar having started two out his country’s three group games.
Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham)
The 20-year-old is officially a Premier League player but has yet to actually make an appearance for Tottenham Hotspur. The young midfielder completed a move to North London in the summer of 2021 and was immediately loaned back to his former club Metz.
Sarr already has 11 appearances to his name for the Senegal national team having been granted his debut in March last year. He hasn’t been granted too many opportunities at the World Cup with a 13-minute cameo against Qatar being the only action he has earned so far.
