WHAT KIND OF effect can a tournament held in Gabon next month have on the fortunes of Premier League teams?
Historically, the Africa Cup of Nations hasn’t created much panic or chaos but the extended loss of a key player could prove detrimental to a team’s hopes of a title challenge or their hopes of survival.
At the top of the table, Chelsea have little to worry about. Nigeria failed to qualify so that means Victor Moses and Jon-Obi Mikel are staying put.
It’s more concerning for Liverpool who will have to make do without Senegalese international Sadio Mane.
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Dave Thompson
Dave Thompson
In January, Jurgen Klopp’s side face Manchester United at Old Trafford, host leaders Chelsea and also take on Mane’s former club Southampton in their League Cup semi-final clash. Depending on how far Senegal go in Gabon, Mane could miss as many as ten games. So impressive since his arrival at Anfield – scoring eight goals, including the winner against Everton on Monday – his presence will be sorely missed.
In contrast, Pep Guardiola has nothing to worry about regarding his playing staff. Kelechi Iheanacho is another Nigeria international while Yaya Toure has retired from Ivory Coast duty.
For Arsenal, just one player will be missing in January and that’s Mohamed Elneny. Another Nigerian, Alex Iwobi – set for an extended run in the team following Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s recent injury – can breathe a sigh of relief that he gets to solely concentrate on his club fortunes next month.
Kenya also failed to qualify so Tottenham’s Victor Wanyama will remain in north London. For Manchester United, they’ll be without Ivory Coast’s Eric Bailly and Jose Mourinho is keen on adding defensive reinforcements to help him cope.
The tournament may have a greater impact on teams toward the bottom of the Premier League table.
Nigel French
Nigel French
Leicester surely have too much quality to be dragged into a relegation scrap but their reliance on African players will see them lose five key squad members next month. Ghana pair Daniel Amartey and Jeff Schlupp and Yohan Benalouane (who is uncapped right now) from Tunisia will be on duty and, crucially, they’ll be without Riyad Mahrez too, as well as his Algeria team-mate Islam Slimani. Luckily for them, Nigeria Ahmed Musa stays where he is.
West Ham will also be hit hard.
Slaven Bilic will have to do without Cheikhou Kouyate, Diafra Sakho (both Senegal), Andre Ayew (Ghana) and Sofiane Feghouli (Algeria) while David Moyes’ Sunderland are also facing a hugely-depleted squad.
With little in the way of funds to count on, their paper-thin group will be pushed to the brink as Papy Djilobodji (Senegal), Wahbi Khazri (Tunisia), Lamine Kone (Ivory Coast) and Didier Ndong (Gabon) will all depart in January.
How much will the Africa Cup of Nations influence the Premier League title and relegation races?
WHAT KIND OF effect can a tournament held in Gabon next month have on the fortunes of Premier League teams?
Historically, the Africa Cup of Nations hasn’t created much panic or chaos but the extended loss of a key player could prove detrimental to a team’s hopes of a title challenge or their hopes of survival.
At the top of the table, Chelsea have little to worry about. Nigeria failed to qualify so that means Victor Moses and Jon-Obi Mikel are staying put.
It’s more concerning for Liverpool who will have to make do without Senegalese international Sadio Mane.
In January, Jurgen Klopp’s side face Manchester United at Old Trafford, host leaders Chelsea and also take on Mane’s former club Southampton in their League Cup semi-final clash. Depending on how far Senegal go in Gabon, Mane could miss as many as ten games. So impressive since his arrival at Anfield – scoring eight goals, including the winner against Everton on Monday – his presence will be sorely missed.
In contrast, Pep Guardiola has nothing to worry about regarding his playing staff. Kelechi Iheanacho is another Nigeria international while Yaya Toure has retired from Ivory Coast duty.
For Arsenal, just one player will be missing in January and that’s Mohamed Elneny. Another Nigerian, Alex Iwobi – set for an extended run in the team following Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s recent injury – can breathe a sigh of relief that he gets to solely concentrate on his club fortunes next month.
Kenya also failed to qualify so Tottenham’s Victor Wanyama will remain in north London. For Manchester United, they’ll be without Ivory Coast’s Eric Bailly and Jose Mourinho is keen on adding defensive reinforcements to help him cope.
The tournament may have a greater impact on teams toward the bottom of the Premier League table.
Leicester surely have too much quality to be dragged into a relegation scrap but their reliance on African players will see them lose five key squad members next month. Ghana pair Daniel Amartey and Jeff Schlupp and Yohan Benalouane (who is uncapped right now) from Tunisia will be on duty and, crucially, they’ll be without Riyad Mahrez too, as well as his Algeria team-mate Islam Slimani. Luckily for them, Nigeria Ahmed Musa stays where he is.
West Ham will also be hit hard.
Slaven Bilic will have to do without Cheikhou Kouyate, Diafra Sakho (both Senegal), Andre Ayew (Ghana) and Sofiane Feghouli (Algeria) while David Moyes’ Sunderland are also facing a hugely-depleted squad.
With little in the way of funds to count on, their paper-thin group will be pushed to the brink as Papy Djilobodji (Senegal), Wahbi Khazri (Tunisia), Lamine Kone (Ivory Coast) and Didier Ndong (Gabon) will all depart in January.
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depleted squads Jurgen Klopp riyad mahrez Sadio Mané Liverpool