With just over a quarter of the Premier League season gone the title race is beginning to take shape as is the relegation battle. There is however the looming spectre of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) on the horizon that could wreak havoc on a number of Premier League clubs.
As soon as the Boxing Day fixtures are over, African Premier League players representing their countries at the national tournament will jet off to Cameroon to meet up with their international teammates.
Those who make it to the latter stages of the tournament could not return to Premier League action until the second week of February which would see them missing at least 6 games for their clubs. In this article we take a look at the team’s set to suffer most from AFCON absences.
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta has a job on at the Emirates Stadium not only to turn around the club’s fortunes but to convince large swathes of the fan base that he is up to the job. His task will be made harder at the end of December when Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe head off to Cameroon for the AFCON.
888 Sport Expert correct score prediction have repeatedly cited Thomas Partey as key to Arsenal’s success.
With the former Atletico man in Cameroon for potentially the majority of January, the Gunners will have to rely on Albert Sambi Lokonga and Ainsley Maitland-Niles in central midfield with Granit Xhaka side-lined with a medial knee ligament injury.
Regardless of the potential of both of those players, they wouldn’t be manager Mikel Arteta’s preferred midfield two.
https://youtu.be/ked_J27FuaY
(Thomas Partey has just started to hit his groove in North London so his absence in January will be particularly hard felt.)
Chelsea
At the time of writing Chelsea sit atop of the Premier League table after dispatching a beleaguered Norwich City 7-0. One of the most notable moments of that game came when Chelsea ‘keeper Edouard Mendy saved a one-on-one against Milot Rashica and celebrated wildly with his teammates.
That demonstrated the dedication to clean sheets that has seen Chelsea concede the fewest goals in the Premier League this season. The week before in his side’s victory over Brentford Mendy was once again in top form, making a stunning string of saves to help his side to the three points.
Unfortunately for Thomas Tuchel, he will lose his star ‘keeper to the AFCON and be forced to reinstate the less than consistent Kepa Arrizabalaga. The Blues will also be without the services of Hakim Ziyech as he links up with his Moroccan teammates.
Crystal Palace
Patrick Vieira has gotten off to a good start at Selhurst Park but his life will be made a lot harder in January when he is without Cheikhou Kouyate, Jeffrey Schlupp, Jordan Ayew and Wilfried Zaha.
With games against bitter rivals Brighton, high flying West Ham and title challenging Liverpool in January, the start of 2022 could turn into a bit of a nightmare for the Eagles.
(Wilfried Zaha has long being the beating heart of this Palace team, but in January he will be terrorising defenders at the AFCON for the Ivory Coast.)
Leicester City
It has been a less than ideal start to the season for Brendan Rodgers and his men but it appears that the Foxes have started to turn a corner with recent results. Their midweek victory over Spartak Moscow was followed up with an impressive win over Brentford in which Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho was impressive.
He will be absent in January because of the AFCON as will Daniel Amartey, Nampalys Mendy and Wilfred Ndidi. With Europa League fixtures piling up the Foxes will be feeling the strain of a stretched squad in January and February.
Perhaps recruitments will be needed in the winter transfer window to keep Rodger’s Leicester on an upward trajectory.
Liverpool
There is no one on the planet playing better football than Mo Salah at this moment in time, not even Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi. In Liverpool’s 5-0 thrashing of Manchester United the Egyptian was simply sublime, skipping past opponents and finish with ruthless efficiency.
Yet Salah’s form comes with the caveat that he will be absent for January and most likely, the first two weeks of February. Egypt are among the favourites for the AFCON so Salah could be in Cameroon for the long haul.
https://youtu.be/A1wu3MVAnKs
(Mo Salah has been sensational for Liverpool this season and they will be a weaker side without him in January.)
In addition to that Jurgen Klopp will be without Naby Keita who has performed so well in recent weeks and the Sadio Mane, the natural goal scoring replacement for Mo Salah. With the race for the title between Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City proving to be so tight, Liverpool’s AFCON loss could be their rivals gain.
