Yankuba Minteh chooses Kudus ahead of Salah in top 5 African players

LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 29: Mohammed Kudus of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Kevin Danso during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on November 29, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh has stirred up a lively debate after naming his top five African players in Premier League history, with Ghanaian icons Michael Essien and Mohammed Kudus earning prominent places on his list.The Gambian international, speaking in an interview with BBC News Africa, selected a star-studded lineup that includes some of the continent’s greatest exports to English football. But it was his omission of Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah that has sparked the most discussion.Minteh placed former Chelsea midfield powerhouse Michael Essien at number two on his list, describing the Ghanaian as a “monster on the pitch” who dominated the entire field with his tireless work rate and physical presence.At number five, the Brighton winger named Tottenham’s Mohammed Kudus, praising the 24-year-old’s technical ability and selfless approach to the game.”I love the way he plays. He is really good with the ball. He’s also a team player,” Minteh said of the Ghanaian playmaker.He named Sadio Mane as his no. 1 and Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o as third and fourth, respectively, to wrap up his top five.When pressed on the absence of Mohamed Salah, who has scored 193 Premier League goals and is widely regarded as one of Africa’s greatest footballers, Minteh was characteristically blunt.”No, I don’t look up to him,” he said.Minteh explained that his admiration for Sadio Mane, whom he placed at number one, stems from the Senegalese forward’s relentless work ethic and commitment to his faith.”The way he worked hard, no matter what you do, if you put hard work there and put God first for everything, it always pays off, and that’s what Man did,” Minteh explained.Minteh’s comments have generated significant buzz, particularly given the timing. The Gambian winger has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool, with the Reds reportedly viewing him as a potential successor to Salah, who left for Trabzonspor this summer.For Ghanaian fans, however, the recognition of Essien and Kudus by a rising star of African football is a source of pride. Essien, who won two Premier League titles and the Champions League with Chelsea, remains one of Ghana’s most decorated footballers, while Kudus continues to establish himself as one of the Premier League’s most exciting young talents.Minteh’s list has reignited the age-old debate about Africa’s greatest Premier League exports. But for Ghana, the presence of two of their own in the conversation is a welcome affirmation of the country’s enduring influence on English football.



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