Midfield
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Having decided to go with a 4-1-3-2 system to fit in the most valuable African footballers, this slide will have the four midfielders who make the team – one central holding midfielder and the three attacking midfielders who sit ahead of him.
No one is currently playing the central holding role in the English Premier League better than Tottenham Hotspur’s Victor Wanyama. Ever since signing from Southampton last season, the Kenyan has been exquisite for Mauricio Pochettino’s men. He’s currently valued at €15 million and is one of the best defensive midfielders in the league.
Ahead of Wanyama are three attacking midfielders. We start from the left attacking midfielder, who in this case is Liverpool’s bargain superstar, Sadio Mane. The 24-year-old is easily one of the best wingers in the Premier League. His searing pace, eye for goal and engine have given Jurgen Klopp’s men another dimension when attacking. Mane is valued at €30 million and is the only the second Senegalese player to make this list – along with Koulibaly.
At the centre of the attacking three is Southampton’s Sofiane Boufal. The Moroccan international has been an incredible buy for the Saints. With his tricks, his pace and his shoulder dropping, ankle-breaking, confidence-destroying ball play, it’s no wonder he’s valued high enough to be amongst Africa’s best. At €15 million, Boufal is the ideal central attacking midfielder in this line up.
The right wing in this XI is occupied by one of the most talented ball-playing wingers the Premier League – or even Europe – saw last season. Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez won the Premier League title for the club and even won the PFA Player of the Year award outlining his natural talent and ability to influence a game unlike anyone else on this list.
Mahrez is valued at €30 million and is only 25, meaning he has the world ahead of him and could become an even more influential player.
