African player of the year: Mahrez and Mendy take the lead
Even if he is, at times, the expense of the multiple turnovers of Pep Guardiola, Ryad Mahrez remains one of the favorites for the title of African Player of the Year 2021 (African Ballon d’Or). The Algerian, who greatly contributed to City’s qualification in the C1 semi-finals, is one step ahead of his competitors. But he certainly feels the breath of Edouard Mendy.
Mohamed Salah twice (2017 and 2018) and Sadio Mané in 2019, the two stars of Liverpool have won the last three trophies for African Player of the Year, awarded by CAF. However, the next edition is slipping away from them. It is true that Mo Salah, author of 19 goals in the Premier League and 6 in C1, has notable stats but collectively Liverpool is completely scooped up. The champions of England have just been pitifully out of the C1 and are heading towards a white. And for Sadio Mané, winner of the last edition, it is even more complicated.
The Senegalese seems physically cooked and certainly needs to find a second wind to come back to the cleat next season in order to try to catch up. Because at the moment, Ryad Mahrez has undeniably taken a step ahead of the competition. The 2016 winner is certainly not an indisputable holder in Manchester City where Pep Guardiola turns a lot but he manages to pull out of the game. Fennec has also taken part in 41 City matches in all competitions this season. For 11 goals and 7 assists. And above all, even if her team has not won anything yet, it is present on all fronts at the end of the season.
Edouard Mendy, African player of the year?
Also in the selection, Ryad Mahrez scores a lot of points since Algeria is on a crazy series of 24 games without a setback. For many moreover, it is currently the best African team and the Citizen is the ultimate leader. However, the Algerian could have a surprising competitor: Edouard Mendy . The Senegalese goalkeeper has a dream first season in England with Chelsea. Number 1 in the Blues ahead of Spaniard Kepa, the former Rennes player has made a series of decisive saves and clean sheets. In 26 Premier League games, he has managed to keep his clean sheet 14 times. And in the Champions League, Mendy has conceded only two goals in nine games.
If Chelsea has practically lost any chance of winning the English champion, the Blues are however still in contention in C1 and FA Cup. They will also this weekend face Manchester City Mahrez in the semifinals. Mendy can therefore grab the titles of best goalkeeper in the Champions League, Premier League, UEFA and FIFA. It would be decisive to get past Mahrez. He would be the first goalkeeper to win the title of African Player of the Year, awarded by CAF since 1992. However, Moroccan Badou Zaki (1986) and Cameroonian Thomas Nkono (1979 and 1982) won the Ballon d’Or African that attributed the magazine France Football of 1970
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