Southampton winger Kamaldeen Sulemana stirred debate among Ghanaian football fans during an interview with Showmax after sharing his thoughts on the best Ghanaian to ever play in the English Premier League.
Initially, Sulemana named Crystal Palace forward Jordan Ayew as his pick, praising his consistency in the English top flight. But when asked to reflect further, the 23-year-old couldn’t help but change his stance — this time throwing his support behind Chelsea legend Michael Essien.
“Actually, I change my mind,” Sulemana said with a laugh. “I have to give it to Essien for all he achieved with Chelsea in the Premier League. If we are looking at strikers, then definitely Jordan, but generally it has to be Essien. He was one of the best coaches I had as well. We worked together in Denmark. He’s such a nice guy.”
Sulemana’s revised choice highlighted his deep admiration for Essien’s decorated spell at Stamford Bridge, where the former midfielder won multiple league titles and Champions League honors, earning a reputation as one of the league’s most dominant and versatile players.
While ultimately settling on Essien as the standout Ghanaian in Premier League history, Sulemana made sure not to completely sideline Jordan Ayew — acknowledging the Palace forward’s longevity and impact in the league.
His comments have sparked conversation among fans and pundits alike, reviving the ongoing debate over Ghana’s greatest Premier League export.
