It’s been a while since a Ghanaian player took the Premier League by storm.
Michael Essien and Asamoah Gyan are two names who will be fondly remembered in recent times for putting in some top class displays.
Who could forget Gyan and his flurry of his goals at his short but meaningful stint at Sunderland? The Accra-born forward’s goals were a joy to behold during 2010-2011 season. The highlight had to be his goal in the 3-0 win against Chelsea on November 14, 2010 at Stamford Bridge.
Gyan topped his well-worked goal with an intimidating dance routine which would obviously have angered the Blue fans.
Similarly, no one could forget Essien, one of the finest midfielders to grace the EPL.
The versatile midfielder lit up the EPL with some solid displays which were crucial to much of the Blues’ success over the years. His presence, along with other Africans like Didier Drogba and John Obi Mikel, has been responsible for a surge of Chelsea fans across the African continent.
Two Ghanaians, in Jordan Ayew and Andre Ayew, arrived England this summer, and both have the potential to be as big—if not bigger—than Essien and Gyan.
Jordan came in from French side FC Lorient to turn out for Aston Villa, while Andre arrived from Marseille to sign for Swansea City on a free transfer.
The elder brother’s start to life at the Liberty Stadium has been immense, scoring three goals in four league appearances for the Swans. Two of those goals, which were against Chelsea and Manchester United, currently puts Swansea fourth on the log. It is the South Wales club’s best start to an EPL campaign, and is due, in no small part, to Ayew.
Jordan hasn’t had the same explosive start as Andre for Aston Villa, and Goal’s Ed Dove is just one pundit to question whether he can succeed in England. However, it shouldn’t be long before the younger Ayew starts demonstrating his class, and showing his worth in the Villains’ quest to end the campaign above the scrappy 17th-place finish of last season.
Can either man press on to forge a legacy in England similar to that of Essien or Gyan?
Of the pair, Andre is surely the best bet—despite Abedi Pele’s recent claims that Jordan was the more talented of his two sons. For a winger, he had an impressive record for Marseille scoring 60 goals in 202 appearances. Having already scored three goals in four appearances at the Liberty Stadium, and having already showed his class against the big guns, Swans fans can be confident that the Black Star’s early showings are a sign of things to come.
Garry Monk ought to be optimistic that, with Andre in his starting XI, the Swans can better their record eighth-place finish and points-haul of 56 last season.
Swansea and Villa are obviously not clubs of the same kind of status as Chelsea, where Essien made his global reputation, but both Ayew brothers have the talent to enjoy great success in England. Andre, in particular, has had the kind of start to life in the EPL, boasts the pedigree of previous success, and should have the ideal environment to be a huge hit at his new club.
Can Dede match Essien’s impact in England?
Source: Goal.com