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Top 5 African players in La Liga 2021-22

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Let’s find out who is the best African footballer in the Spanish top flight.

Spanish football has hosted many African players in recent years. Young talents, especially from northern Africa, break into La Liga to kick-start their European careers.

Let’s take a look at the best African footballers currently active in La Liga.

5- Youssef En-Nesyri

Youssef En-Nesyri
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Regardless of a few periods of poor form, Sevilla have spent a successful 2021-22 campaign. The Red-Whites have consistently maintained their place among the league’s top three, showing excellent quality in both their defensive and attacking lines.

Julen Lopetegui’s side have enjoyed having several players in each position, often rotating between the games. This has forced Youssef En-Nesyri to sit on the bench more often.

However, it has not stopped the Moroccan from scoring crucial goals for his side. Following a long-term injury at the beginning of the season, En-Nesyri has come back to register four goals and two assists in his 19 league appearances for Sevilla.

4- Djene

Djene is one of the most underrated players in La Liga, captaining Getafe through their difficult season.

The Togolese centre-back has remained a cornerstone of Getafe’s backline, providing them with much-needed defensive stability.

The 15th-placed side has conceded 37 goals so far this season, which is a better stats compared to all of the teams below the eighth spot on the table.

Djene’s physicality has proved to be vital for Getafe, earning him 31 league appearances for the Deep Blues.

3- Samuel Chukwueze

Samuel Chukwueze

Since making his senior debut for Villarreal in 2018, Chukwueze has established a reputation as one of the most promising La Liga players.

We had a chance to see more of the Nigerian’s magic this season, despite Villarreal’s unstable form. The Super Eagles star made 23 league appearances for the Yellow Submarines, scoring three goals and providing three assists. 

However, Chukwueze’s best performances came in the Champions League, where Villarreal went as far as the semi-finals.

The 22-year-old played eight European games for his side, scoring twice. The highlight of Chukwueze’s season came in the final minutes of Villarreal’s match against Bayern, where the Nigeria international converted a one-on-one against Manuel Neuer to eliminate the Bavarians from the Champions League.

2- Yassine Bounou

Since coming back from his loan spell at Girona in 2020, Bounou has enjoyed a quick rise to stardom at Sevilla.

This season, the Moroccan’s performances have established his name among the best La Liga goalkeepers of the campaign.

Having registered 12 clean sheets in his 28 matches for Sevilla, Bounou has been a vital part of his side’s brilliant defensive stats.

There have been several rumours around Bounou’s potential move to the Premier League, with Tottenham and Manchester United being his main suitors. 

Let’s see if Sevilla’s possible Champions League qualification can convince the Moroccan to stay at Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan.

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1- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
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Following a well-documented captaincy saga at Arsenal, Aubameyang moved to Barcelona on a free transfer this winter.

The Gabonese striker, who had spent an underwhelming spell at the Emirates, quickly integrated into Xavi Hernandez’s tactics at Barca.

He has scored 11 goals and provided an assist in his first 19 appearances for the Catalans. With Aubameyang enjoying great form upfront, Xavi has more freedom in selecting his attacking line. 

The Spanish manager will most likely have a new striker in his squad for the next season, with Robert Lewandowski and Erling Haaland being the club’s main targets. 

Let’s see if Aubameyang can retain his place in Barca’s lineup for the 2022-23 campaign.

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