Bilan 2020
They have shone, a little, a lot, madly during the past year. Here are the eleven African cracks gathered by FF to form the typical team of the year 2020. In a 4-2-3-1 that makes you want to.
Guardian
Edouard Mendy (Chelsea / Senegal)
The big leap forward … Edouard Mendy arrived in the offseason at Chelsea for € 25 million from Rennes where he was coming out of a good season (24 matches, 9 clean sheets). In the Premier League, the Senegalese goalkeeper established himself as the holder in front of Kepa with several matches without conceding a single goal. With the Teranga Lions, he took advantage of the competition from Alfred Gomis (Rennes) to remain very efficient with his selection.
Defenders
Achraf Hakimi (Inter Milan / Maroc)
The Moroccan “Cafu” has been incredible since his arrival at Inter Milan, particularly in terms of his offensive contribution (4 goals and 2 assists in 7 matches). Already in sight in Dortmund, there is still room for improvement according to his coach, Antonio Conte in his way of defending. In Italy, expectations are higher in this sector of play. With the other star of Morocco, Hakim Ziyech, the native of Madrid quietly carries the Atlas Lions at the head of Pool E of qualifying for the CAN.
Kalidou Koulibaly (Naples / Senegal)
The double K had a delicate 2018-19 season where he was contaminated by the Neapolitan marasmus. A forgotten drop in power! The Senegalese rock is once again imperial at the heart of Serie A defense. At 29, he remains one of the best defenders in Italy and even in Europe. The only downside at the start of the season was his lost duel against Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Djene Dakonam (Getafe/Togo)
Djene Dakonam has been considered one of La Liga’s most formidable defenders for a few seasons. Once again, he brought his selflessness, his reading of the game as well as his aggressiveness to contribute to the good health of Getafe. If his club was for a very long time at the gates of the Champions League, last season, it owes a lot to the defensive slaughter of the Togolese. At 28, he is clearly part of the circle of the best axial defenders in La Liga but the Hawk must take off by changing dimension within a more ambitious club. Become the boss of his national team, he did what he could in a Togo losing speed on the continent.
Ramy Bensebaini (Mönchengladbach / Algeria)
In Borussia Mönchengladbach or even in the Bundesliga, Ramy Bensebaini marked his territory. In the left lane, the Algerian has gained in defensive rigor and continues by the quality of his left foot to create favorable situations in the opposing surfaces. Maintaining this mindset, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him join a top club in the years to come. Within his national team, he did not give up like in the good draw against Mexico (2-2). He is a leader, a budding worker among the Greens.
Defensive midfielders
Ismaël Bennacer (AC Milan / Algeria)
Pressing, counter-pressing, intelligence in the transitions, the Algerian of AC Milan made a very impressive copy during this year 2020. With Frank Kessie, he is the essential transmission belt of the game of the current leader of Serie A. At 23 years old, the Milan number 4 is sized to become one of the best players in the world at his post.
Franck Kessié (AC Milan / Ivory Coast)
From the cellar to the light … Unwanted during the last mercatos, Franck Kessié has been transformed by his trainer, Stefano Pioli. He is one of the pillars of the Milanese system. Powerful, serene in his transmissions, the former Atalanta player scored five goals and offered an assist in Serie A. With the Elephants in the midfield, almost like a playmaker, he allowed his selection to turn the tide during the CAN 2022 qualifiers.
Attacking midfielders
Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City / Algeria)
After a year 2019 marked by the seal of history and this CAN won in Egypt, Riyad Mahrez ended the 2019-20 season as Manchester City’s second most influential player behind Kevin de Bruyne with less playing time. The Algerian came close to the double-double (11 goals and 9 assists). In the Premier League, he is one of the most dangerous players, being involved in 140 shots, 6th best record in PL. Since the start of the season, he has alternated between good and bad while being his team’s top scorer in PL (4 goals). With Algeria, he continued his festival by making stats (61 caps, 18 goals and 31 assists). His goal against Zimbabwe will remain one of the highlights of the year …
Hakim Ziyech (Chelsea / Morocco)
Even hampered by injuries, Hakim Ziyech made a thunderous debut for Chelsea where he signed this summer for € 40m. He left Ajax on yet another title and memories of a magnificent player. In the Premier League, his technical ease quickly struck people. The Moroccan scored for his first two starts. Quickly, he gave the impression of being the missing link in the Blues’ game. Able to dribble, to transplant in the axis, to give the ball where he wants, he is a real poison for the opposing defenses. In Morocco too, it is the honeymoon. Inducted boss of the national team by Vahid Halilhodzic, the playmaker reassured the supporters of the Atlas Lions. He responded with a successful performance in the CAN qualifiers. Scorer and passer, it even seemed too easy for him …
Sadio Mané (Liverpool / Senegal)
Not elected by his peers as the best PL player last season, we still wonder what the Senegalese must achieve to finally be recognized? Sadio Mané was the most clutch of the Reds in the historic conquest of the title of champion of England (18 goals and 9 assists). As a winger, the Senegalese is perhaps the best player on the planet in recent years. In the wake of the two extraterrestrials Messi and Ronaldo, he is clearly one of the first earthlings to play good football. In Africa, he did not let anyone toast him the politeness of qualifying Senegal at the next CAN. The former Messin was decisive twice against Guinea-Bissau.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool / Egypte)
Score, score and score again … Mohamed Salah’s stats are crazy. The Egyptian played a role in the Reds’ success in the Premier League. Since the start of the season, he has left on such impressive bases (13 goals in 13 matches). After more than three seasons at Liverpool, he presents stratospheric performances (110 goals and 45 assists in 175 matches in all competitions). In 2021, the Pharaoh should continue on the same bases …
Nabil Djellit
