African players in the Big 5 leagues: first-quarter risers and fallers
Since mid-August, Europe's 5 major leagues have been back in action for the 2024-2025 season. A look at how the African players have fared.
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Sport News Africa picks out a non-exhaustive list of African internationals who have shone in Europe's five major leagues since the start of the new campaign. It also shines a light on those who are not, for now, living up to expectations.
Risers
Bryan Mbeumo
Cameroon international Bryan Mbeumo is on fire at the start of the season with Brentford. The Indomitable Lion is more than clinical in front of goal, an unprecedented level of efficiency for the Avallon-born player. The 25-year-old has played 11 games in all competitions, scoring 8 goals.
Read also: Records and huge performances: Bryan Mbeumo shines in the Premier League
Omar Marmoush
Omar Marmoush is sparkling in an Eintracht Frankfurt shirt. The Egypt international striker has strung together a run of excellent displays since the start of the new season. The 25-year-old Pharaoh has outstanding numbers, playing 13 games in total for 11 goals and 7 assists.
Read also: Omar Marmoush, the other Pharaoh shining in Salah's shadow
Serhou Guirassy
Having become a prolific goalscorer last season with Stuttgart, Serhou Guirassy is confirming his form in a Borussia Dortmund shirt. One of the big favourites for the African Player of the Year award, the Guinea international striker has 7 goals and 2 assists in 10 appearances for the Black and Yellows.
Read also: Dortmund: Guirassy's dazzling start, good news for Guinea
Also worth a mention on the honour roll: Mohamed Salah (Egypt / Liverpool), Ademola Lookman (Nigeria / Atalanta Bergamo), Victor Boniface (Nigeria / Bayer Leverkusen), Hamed Junior Traoré (Côte d'Ivoire / AJ Auxerre), Rayan Aït-Nouri (Algeria / Wolverhampton), Carlos Baleba (Cameroon / Brighton), Nicolas Jackson (Senegal / Chelsea), Jackson Tchatchoua (Cameroon / Hellas Verona). These players have also made a real impact since the start of the 2024-2025 season.
Fallers
Wilfried Zaha
Olympique Lyonnais's marquee signing in the last summer transfer window, Wilfried Zaha is not performing. The Côte d'Ivoire international left winger is a shadow of himself. After 4 games with the Gones, the 31-year-old has delivered just one assist.
Read also: Lyon: Pierre Sage still waiting for the real Zaha
Sébastien Haller
Sébastien Haller is still struggling to rediscover his level. Anonymous with Borussia Dortmund last season, the Côte d'Ivoire international striker is even more so with Leganés in La Liga. On loan at the Spanish club until June 2025, he has made 7 league appearances without making a decisive contribution.
Read also: Sébastien Haller and Omega Sports Holding, a strike partnership to develop sport in Africa
Ismaïla Sarr
After a season at Olympique de Marseille, Ismaïla Sarr returned to England in the last summer transfer window. The Senegal international right winger signed for Crystal Palace, and his start has been far from explosive. After 12 games in all competitions, the 26-year-old has scored just one goal. He has not scored in 9 Premier League matches.
Read also: Jean Louis Gasset: "Ismaila Sarr is an extraordinary little guy"
Also on the list of underperformers: Hervé Koffi (Burkina Faso / RC Lens), Maxwel Cornet (Côte d'Ivoire / West Ham), Taiwo Awoniyi (Nigeria / Nottingham Forest), Munir El Haddadi (Morocco / Las Palmas), Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigeria / FC Sevilla), Amir Richardson (Morocco / Fiorentina), Samuel Chukwueze (Nigeria / AC Milan), Steve Mounié (Benin / Augsburg), Diadié Samassekou (Mali / Hoffenheim). These players have also not looked comfortable since the start of the new season.