As featured on NewsNow: Football news

​TOP 5: Best Ivorians to play in the Premier League

Ivory Coast international Arouna Kone scored a stunning hat-trick in Everton's 6-2 win over Sunderland on Sunday.

To mark the occasion, tribalfootball has decided to take a look at which of Kone's countrymen have made the biggest impact in England's top flight.

5. Emmanuel Eboue

Eboue spent seven seasons at Arsenal between 2005 and 2011, making a total 214 appearances for the Gunners in all competitions, while also finding the back of the net on 10 occasions.

A strong and explosive right-back, who could also play on the right wing, Eboue was part of the Arsenal side, which finished as runners-up in the Champions League in 2005/06.

4. Salomon Kalou

Kalou was a stalwart of the Chelsea outfits which enjoyed great success in the mid 2000s.

After moving to Stamford Bridge from Feyenoord in 2006, Kalou went on to make 251 appearances in all competitions for the Blues, scoring 40 goals.

A lightning quick forward who always proved to be a handful for opposition defences, Kalou won his fair share of silverware while in England, including one Premier League title (2009/10), four FA Cups (2006/07, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2011/12), a League Cup (2006/07) and the UEFA Champions League (2011/12)

3. Yaya Toure

Toure is a versatile box-to-box midfielder still in his prime with Manchester City.

The 32-year-old joined the Citizens from Spanish giants Barcelona for £24 million in the summer of 2010 and has since made 237 appearances in all competitions for the Sky Blues, scoring 67 goals.

Described as a 'colossus' given his strength and skill, Toure has won two Premier League titles (2011/12, 2013/14), an FA Cup (2010/11) and a League Cup (2013/14) during his time in England.

2. Kolo Toure

The older-brother of Yaya, Kolo Toure has enjoyed an illustrious career in Premier League with three of England's biggest clubs.

The central defender joined Arsenal in 2002 and spent seven seasons with the Gunners, making 326 appearances in all competitions and scoring 14 goals.

A move to cashed-up Manchester City followed, where he spent four seasons and racked up 103 appearances in all competitions.

Toure joined Liverpool for the 2013/14 season and remains a Reds player, with 48 appearances for the Anfield club.

In more than a decade in the Premier League, Toure has managed to win two Premier League titles (2003/04, 2011/12) and three FA Cups (2002/03, 2004/05, 2010/11).

1. Didier Drogba

Drogba is undoubtedly the most high-profile and successful Ivorian to ever ply his trade in England's top flight.

The powerful and prolific striker amassed 381 appearances for Chelsea in two separate stints with the club.

Drogba was arguably one of Chelsea's best players during the most successful period in the club's history, scoring 164 goals in all competitions.

The 37-year-old won two Golden Boots (2006/07, 2009/10) to go with four Premier League titles (2004/05, 2005/06, 2009/10, 2014/15), four FA Cups (2006/07, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2011/12), three League Cups (2004/05, 2006/07, 2014/15) and a UEFA Champions League title (2011/12).

Video of the day:

Gerard Laws
About the author

Gerard Laws

×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

  1. Go Ad-Free
  2. Faster site experience
  3. Support great writing
  4. Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free
×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free