As much as it pains him to say it, Idrissa Gana Gueye believes that Sadio Mane is the greatest Senegalese player to have played in the Premier League.

Having played for his rival club Liverpool, Gueye says it’s not easy to admit that Mane is the best player to have represented Senegal in the Premier League.

“Maybe it’s difficult for me to say it, but Sadio is the best Senegalese to have ever played in the Premier League, he just played in the wrong colour,” Gueye tells Showmax as he giggles away.

There have been 46 Senegalese players who have played in the Premier League since its inception in 1992, but Gueye says Mane is head and shoulder above the rest.

“He is the king of Senegal, and I am just so proud of him,” says Gueye. “He represents the country in the best way, he has scored a lot of goals, assisted plenty, won so many trophies, and so I am really happy to have him in Senegal, and so happy for his career. He has shown kids in Africa that everything is possible. He was close to winning a Ballon d’Or, he won the Champions League and the Premier League, and hopefully he will give the country another African Cup of Nations (AFCON) soon.”

He says Mane has also been a great example off the pitch to millions of young and old football fans.

“He is such a great guy, and a very good example off the pitch for everyone. He’s a great player and a good person, and a really good friend of mine. Even when he played for rival clubs, we would always speak. He would text me when we would be playing against each other, and we have kept in touch until now.”

There have been plenty of great Senegalese players to have played in the Premier League, so for Gueye to single Mane out as the greatest, especially since he has played for Liverpool, is a massive compliment from the commanding midfielder.

He says, however, that he is incredibly proud of all the Senegalese footballers who have played in arguably the greatest football league in the world.

“It means a lot for our country that so many of our players have had the opportunity to play in the Premier League and in Europe in general. It means a lot for us to be able to get out of our country and play in these top leagues. Playing in the Premier League for us Senegalese means success, it means happiness, it means security for our families. We are all so proud to represent Senegal in the Premier League.”

This is Gueye’s second stint in the Premier League, having left Everton for a move to France with Paris Saint-Germain, before returning to Merseyside to play for the Blues once again.

He says he is delighted to be back as Everton means everything to him.

“I will always support Everton. It doesn’t matter what happens. I can’t explain it. The club touched me in some way. The club and stadium are so special, it just feels different. I am really happy to be here once again. I have some great friends here, and always kept in touch with them even when I was in Paris. I was always in touch with Seamus Coleman, Mason Holgate, Jordan Pickford and many others, because I had such a good time during my first stint at the club. When I moved to Paris, I kept supporting the team and used to watch all the games with some of my team mates at PSG. It was tough to watch during that time because we had lost a lot of games in the beginning, but I kept supporting them with all my heart.”

He says that when a move back to Everton was on the cards for him, it was a no-brainer.

“My friends and family were really happy when I told them about the possibility of moving back to the Premier League with Everton. They used to send me these messages on social media where fans were asking me to come back to the club. I was really happy to come back. I had a nice experience in Paris, but coming back to Everton was something really special for me and my family. My dad and brother asked me what I was waiting for. They wanted to see me back in n the Premier League already. I am happy to have come back to a club I dearly love. I didn’t need any convincing. As soon as I knew that there was interest from Everton, I didn’t hesitate one bit, and could not say no.”

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Redemption is on the line at Goodison Park