Too Good, Too Bad: The Best and Worst of Africans Abroad
Despite the fact Liverpool won the FA Cup final against Chelsea, it was a bad day for Mane, who missed his spot-kick. Edouard Mendy managed to save Mane’s penalty – Liverpool’s fifth – as the Merseysiders went on to win the shoot-out contest by a 6-5 margin. Salah was injured in the 33rd minute, while Keita was replaced as James Milner came on. Matip took Virgil van Dijk’s place when Jurgen Klopp made a 90th-minute change, while Mali eligible Ibrahima Konate played from start to finish.
Premier League best, worst XIs: Man United stars Pogba, Maguire had season to forget; Kane, Son shone for Spurs
May 26, 2022 Ian DarkeESPN.com writer Close Darke, who called games for the network during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, is ESPN lead soccer voice in the United States. He has covered the Barclays Premier League and the Champions League since 1982, and has one of the world's most recognizable soccer voices. After a final day of maximum drama, the glittering prizes in the Premier League are decided: Manchester City champions for the fourth time in five years, Liverpool foiled in a photo finish, Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League and Leeds United marching on into another season in the top flight. But how about the individual accolades? And how about those who would probably prefer to forget the season? Everyone will have their own ideas about the real movers and shakers, so without further ado, here are this observer's best and worst teams of 2021-22. - O'Hanlon, Connelly: Premier League 2021-22 awards (E+)- Soccer on ESPN+: FC Daily | Futbol Americas- Don't have ESPN? Get instant access Jump to: Best XI | Worst XI Best XI of the season GOALKEEPER David de Gea (Manchester United): A contentious choice perhaps against the claims of Alisson of Liverpool and Ederson of Manchester City, but De Gea performed wonders amid the train wreck of United's season. He pulled off some stunning saves and without him, United would not even have qualified for the Europa League. On standby: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Manchester City) DEFENDERS Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool): Still some doubts about his defending, but this is a classic case of assessing what he can do, not what he can't. Here is a full-back whose ability to pick passes and crosses and set up goals marks him as a unique talent. England need to find a way of using it. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool): Masterful, he seems to do everything without moving out of second gear. That is because he reads the game so brilliantly, putting out the fires before they have even broken out. No easy job in a defence that plays with both full-backs pushed up so high that there are extra demands on the central defenders. 24dGabriele Marcotti 23dRob Dawson 44dIan Darke 2 Related Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea): Rugged and uncompromising, he will be badly missed when he leaves Stamford Bridge to join Real Madrid this summer. Seems to be wearing a sign saying "You won't get past me," and few do. Very hard to replace. Joao Cancelo (Manchester City): A defender with the ball-playing skills of a No. 10, he has been sensational at times in City's title win. Prefers right-back, but just as adept in his team's slightly problematic left-back position. On standby: Marc Cucurella (Brighton), Cristian Romero (Tottenham) MIDFIELDERS Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City): Would surely be in nearly any all-time Premier League XI, and his fabulous pass for City's title-winning goal against Aston Villa summed him up.
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