Senegal stars out to maul Three Lions

EDOUARD MENDY

The Chelsea goalkeeper was claiming benefits in France at the age of 22 after his deal with Cherbourg expired. Eight years on, he is seen as one of the best shot-stoppers in the game, and won FIFA’s best goalkeeper award in 2021.

YOUSSOUF SABALY

One of several Senegal players born in France, the full back won the Under-20 World Cup with Les Bleus before switching. Made his name with Bordeaux before joining Real Betis last year, with whom he won a surprise Copa del Rey.

KALIDOU KOULIBALY

Named in the Serie A team of the year four times in a row before joining Chelsea for £33million last summer. The physically imposing centre half sparked international headlines by standing up to the racism he suffered from fans while playing for Napoli.

ABDOU DIALLO

Centre-half joined PSG for £28m back in 2019, and earned a Ligue 1 winners’ medal, but got frustrated with his lack of game time and became determined not to stay at a club where he ‘was of no use’. Joined RB Leipzig on loan this season. Younger brother Ibrahima plays for Southampton.

ISMAIL JAKOBS

Monaco left-back, who can also play on the wing, was an Under-21 European champion with Germany last year before deciding to switch to his father’s country. He stands out for his vast collection of tattoos.

PATHE CISS

Made his Senegal debut in Qatar after an impressive season with Rayo Vallecano, where he dovetailed with Radamel Falcao. Older brother Saliou helped Senegal to win last year’s Africa Cup of Nations, but did not make this squad through injury.

PAPE GUEYE

Midfielder known to English fans for a famously bizarre chain of events in 2020, when Watford announced a pre-contract arrangement with him only for Gueye to sign a deal with Marseille 24 hours later. The French club ended up with a two-window transfer ban.

ILIMAN NDIAYE

Sheffield United attacking midfielder has been given the formidable task of replacing Sadio Mane. Quite the rise for a 22-year-old who was born in France but moved to the UK and was on the books of non-League side Boreham Wood in 2019, having been spotted playing five-a-side in Hammersmith.

NAMPALYS MENDY

Expected to replace the suspended Idrissa Gueye. The defensive midfielder remains on the fringes of Leicester City’s first team. But he was an important part of the side that became African champions last year.

ISMAILA SARR

Skilful, rapid forward who has been linked to Manchester United, among other big clubs, on the back of his performances for Watford. Former club-mate Ben Foster said: ‘I’ve never seen anybody accelerate from a standing start as quick as he does.’ Likely to provide Senegal’s biggest attacking threat.

BOULAYE DIA

Senegal’s front man in Mane’s absence. Dia is on loan at Serie A side Salernitana from Villarreal, and is the subject of reported interest from Everton and West Ham. A former trainee electrician, he was rejected by Lyon as a youngster for being too small and went on to have trials with Welsh club Airbus UK Broughton in 2016, but did not want to leave France.