My mentor Asamoah Gyan; among my best XI players- Atsu

Chelsea winger Christian Atsu has named his mentor Asamoah Gyan and four other Ghana national team players among the best XI footballers he has ever played with.

The revelation by the Black Stars winger shows that the former Porto player knows he thrives best when playing for the Ghana national team than all the club sides he has played for in his career.

Nearly half of his team are dominated by players of the Black Stars with team-mates Harrison Afful, Abdul Baba Rahman, Jonathan Mensah, Mubarak Wakasu as well as Gyan all included in Atsu's team.

The 24-year-old named Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard in his squad as the American shot-stopper looks to have made a huge impression on the youngster.

The rest of the players in his squad look to have been dominated by players of Portuguese giants Porto. Former Porto players Bruno Alves, Joao Moutinho currently of Monaco, Real Madrid star James Rodriguez and Zenith St. Petersburg winger Hulk were all included.

“Number one, the goalkeeper would be Tim Howard from Everton,” Atsu told Cross the Line.

“On the right side, [I will have] Harrison Afful from the Ghana national team and then left back would be Baba Rahman from Ghana who is playing for Chelsea now.

“For the two central defenders, I give [the slots] to Jonathan Mensah and Bruno Alves and then in midfield,[I will have] Wakaso from the Ghana national team and Joao Moutinho who is now playing for Monaco.

“Number ten, I would give to James Rodriguez and on the right wing [will be] Hulk who is playing for Zenit now. I’d put myself on the left and the striker is Asamoah Gyan.”

Atsu has been recalled early by Chelsea from his one-season loan stint at Bournemouth and he is likely to make his debut for the Blues today.