La Liga: 5 African players to watch

The African armada that made its mark last season is setting sail again. And for SNA, there are players to watch in La Liga this season: Iñaki Williams, Youssef En-Nesiry (if he is not sold by the end of the transfer window) and Abde Ezzalzouli. Alongside those 3 players, 2 other talents proven in France who have joined the Spanish league could make their mark on La Liga: Hamari Traoré, who has switched from Rennes, and Jonathan Bamba, formerly of Lille.

Iñaki Williams: consistency personified in La Liga

The Ghana international is a reliable performer in the Spanish league, a proven player. On the eve of his 9th season, it is only natural that he is named among the African players most eagerly awaited. Williams is coming off a very good second half of the season. He scored 10 league goals and provided 3 assists in 36 games for Bilbao. That is an improvement on his usual standards of around 7 to 8 goals and 6 to 7 assists in recent seasons, with a peak in 2018-2019 of 13 goals and 4 assists. In total in La Liga, he has 308 appearances, with 64 goals and 35 assists. Iñaki Williams seems to have gained in maturity after his World Cup with Ghana. Building on his successful season, will he improve his numbers? Given his potential, he has every means to do so.

Youssef En-Nesiry: the Moroccan's revival

Another well-travelled African in the league who is eagerly awaited is Youssef En-Nesiry. He enjoyed a revival (8 league goals during the season) at the World Cup after a season and a half of doubt with Sevilla. Riding the momentum of Morocco's epic run, he put together a solid rest of the season. He rediscovered his goalscoring instinct and showed off his leap on the pitch. With his confidence back, he is expected this season to deliver on his promise and do as well as in his 2020-2021 season, when he bagged 18 goals. He also opened his account on matchday 1 against Valencia (a 1-2 home defeat). At the start of this campaign, he is among the league's renowned strikers.

 Abde Ezzalzouli: a promising talent who must now deliver in La Liga

Abde Ezzalzouli made his mark on the 2022-2023 season of La Liga with his technique and his goals for Osasuna. That has earned him, for now, a place in the plans of FC Barcelona, who had loaned him out to toughen him up. He has already shown good signs on the pre-season tour, with good performances and a few goals. Last year he scored 4 goals and provided 2 assists. That put him on the radar of several clubs, the most insistent of which was Bayer Leverkusen. Winning the U23 AFCON with Morocco gave him a boost in confidence. What is more, his return to training with Barça ahead of schedule shows his determination to have a successful season.

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Hamari Traoré: a first experience outside France

Mali international Hamari Traoré (31) was highly consistent at Stade Rennais, keeping his place under several managers and ending up as captain. At the end of his contract after 6 years, he was swamped with offers. But he decided to step out of his comfort zone to move to Spain and Real Sociedad. His great experience, his consistency and his big engine make him a player who is eagerly awaited this season.

Jonathan Bamba: the take-off of an underused talent?

Ivorian Jonathan Bamba is another Ligue 1 talent, albeit an inconsistent performer. But his talent is beyond doubt. After 5 seasons at LOSC, the last with 6 goals and 7 assists, the 27-year-old is about to write another chapter of his career at Celta Vigo. It is a chance for the player to step up to a new level. The more open play in Spain could allow him to show off his immense talent even more. A player particularly worth watching in the league.

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