Ghanaian duo of Atsu, Schlupp benched in Leicester-Everton Premier League opener

Published on: 16 August 2014
Ghanaian duo of Atsu, Schlupp benched in Leicester-Everton Premier League opener
Christian Atsu has been named on the bench of Everton

Ghanaian duo of Christian Atsu of Everton and Leicester City's Jeffery Schlupp were benched when the two sides clashed in the opening match of the 2014/2015 English Premier League season on Saturday.

The two players are the only stars from Ghana in the globe's most popular league – the English Premier League this season which has sparked immense interest from Ghanaians in the league.

Ghanaian interest has soared in the last few days ahead of the start of the season following Christian Atsu's arrival at Everton while Schlupp is part of Leicester City's team.

However the two players were both placed on the bench in the two teams' starting line-up for the match between the sides in Leicester on Saturday at the King Power Stadium.

Atsu, the 22-year-old, completed a season-long loan move from West London giants Chelsea and is expected to feature prominently in Roberto Martinez's plans as the Toffees have European and domestic competitions ahead.

Atsu's move appeared a little protracted as Chelsea reportedly failed to agree with Everton over playing time assurance from Martinez but has been included in the Toffees squad for the game.

German-born versatile Ghana defender Jeffrey Schlupp, who was part of Ghana's provisional squad at the 2014 World Cup, has been named in the Leicester City squad but starts the game from the bench as he is not a first choice full-back.

Statistics from previous meetings favour Everton as Leicester have not won against them August 1998 and all their last four meetings have ended in draws.

Atsu has been handed the number 19 jersey at Everton and he becomes only the second Ghanaian to play for Everton in the Premier League after Alex Nyarko disappinted for the Merseysiders in the 2000 season.

Nyarko spell at Everton created bad feel among Ghanaian fans as they feel the club melted a bad treatment to the hugely talented former Asante Kotoko attacker.

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