Regardless of a mountain of uncertainty and having been postponed twice beforehand, the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations is now lastly in sight, with numerous Premier League stars set for a probably prolonged absence.
The thirty third version of the event will get underway on January 9, with host nation Cameroon kicking it off in opposition to Burkina Faso, earlier than it attracts to a detailed on Sunday, February 6. The earliest potential launch date for any nation is January 20, when the teams come to an finish.
In what will probably be a tough yr for Premier League golf equipment to navigate, they obtained a well timed increase final week because the Confederation of African Soccer (CAF) dominated gamers can stick with their home sides till January 3.
The foundations initially dictated that golf equipment must launch their gamers no later than the Monday morning the week continuing the event's begin, on this case December 27. However CAF agreed gamers whose golf equipment have matches between December and January 3 may be concerned earlier than becoming a member of up with their nationwide squads.
That may come as a selected reduction to Liverpool - who're set to lose Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita - with clashes in opposition to Leicester, albeit a sport they misplaced, and Chelsea in that interval.
Arsenal, Crystal Palace and Leicester are additionally among the many groups who will probably be impacted most within the coming weeks, whereas Tottenham, Newcastle, Leeds and Norwich make up the 4 sides who will not be affected.
Sportsmail breaks down the gamers from every Premier League membership who will probably be absent under, although it is necessary to notice that numerous nations haven't but introduced their official squads. These are: Gabon, Ghana, Egypt, Bukina Faso and Zimbabwe.
Arsenal
Arsenal will discover their squad depth lowered considerably over the course of the Africa Cup of Nations, with 4 first-team members anticipated to function.
To date it is solely Nicolas Pepe whose involvement is assured, with Ivory Coast naming the winger of their official squad.
After locking down a beginning position firstly of the season, Pepe has in more moderen weeks been largely demoted to the bench, with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli the popular shops.
But, with essential clashes coming thick and quick, together with within the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, his presence will certainly be missed within the squad. As will Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny and, maybe much less so, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The trio have been named within the provisional squad lists for Ghana, Egypt and Gabon respectively.
Video games Arsenal's AFCON individuals will certainly miss:
- January 6: Liverpool (H) - Carabao Cup semi-final first leg
- January 9: Nottingham Forrest (A) - FA Cup Third Spherical
- January 13: Liverpool (A) - Carabao Cup semi-final second leg
- January 16: Tottenham (A) - Premier League
*Gamers will miss additional video games if their nation makes it by the group stage.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa have endured a disrupted finish to the yr, with clashes in opposition to Burnley and Leeds postponed because of Covid, whereas supervisor Steven Gerrard missed their defeat to Chelsea after testing optimistic.
The Midlands facet may also be disrupted all through January, with three first-team gamers set to depart for Cameroon.
Mahmoud Trezeguet, Bertrand Traore and Marvelous Nakamba have all been named within the provisional squads for his or her respective nations, being Egypt, Burkina Faso and Zimbabwe.
Video games Aston Villa's AFCON individuals will certainly miss:
- January 10: Manchester United (A) - FA Cup Third Spherical
- January 15: Manchester United (H) - Premier League
Brentford
Brentford may have only one participant leaving for AFCON in January, with midfielder Frank Onyeka within the Nigeria squad.
That may nonetheless come as a blow, with the summer time signing that includes in 15 of the London membership's 17 Premier League outings this season.
It had additionally been anticipated Brentford could also be with out Ghana's duo of Tariqe Fosu-Henry and Julian Jeanvier, however neither had been named on their provisional squad listing.
Video games Onyeka will certainly miss for Brentford:
- January 8: Port Vale (A) - FA Cup Third Spherical
- January 16: Liverpool (A) - Premier League
Brighton
Equally to Brentford, Brighton may also have simply the one participant absent in January, however once more it is one other necessary loss.
Midfielder Yves Bissouma, who has featured in 12 of Brighton's 17 Premier League video games this season, has been named in Mali's official squad.
Bissouma hasn't featured for Mali since 2018 amid stories of a falling out with coach Mohamed Magassouba, however the 25-year-old is about for a return to worldwide soccer after being named of their 28-man squad.
Video games Bissouma will certainly miss for Brighton:
- January 8: West Brom (A) - FA Cup Third Spherical
- January 14: Crystal Palace (H) - Premier League
Burnley
Burnley will probably be with out the providers of Maxwel Cornet for the period Ivory Coast stay within the Africa Cup of Nations.
Cornet, who has been spectacular in entrance of aim this season, has been formally known as as much as the Ivory Coast squad.
The 25-year-old has scored 5 objectives in 9 Premier League outings this season, earlier than limping off of their 1-0 loss in opposition to Newcastle and lacking the next outing in opposition to West Ham. Burnley's following three fixtures have all been postponed.
Video games Cornet will certainly miss for Burnley:
- January 8: Huddersfield (H) - FA Cup Third Spherical
- January 15: Leicester (H) - Premier League
Chelsea
Chelsea will really feel lucky to have only one participant leaving for AFCON, although it can nonetheless be a significant blow regardless.
The Blues are set to lose No 1 keeper Edouard Mendy, who has been named in Senegal's official squad.
As said, the blow was considerably diminished after CAF revealed gamers might stick with their home golf equipment till January 3, which means Mendy will probably be obtainable to play Liverpool the day prior.
In one other increase for Chelsea, Hakim Ziyech was sensationally disregarded of Morocco's squad after an entire breakdown in his relationship with coach Vahid Halilhodzic.
Video games Mendy will certainly miss for Chelsea:
- January 5: Tottenham (H) - Carabao Cup semi-final first leg
- January 8: Chesterfield (H) - FA Cup Third Spherical
- January 12: Tottenham (A) - Carabao Cup semi-final second leg
- January 15: Manchester Metropolis (A) - Premier League
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace are one other facet who've been impacted by Covid, although there have been a number of eyebrows raised after they fielded an virtually full power facet of their 3-0 defeat to Tottenham, regardless of making an attempt to get the sport postponed.
However, they are going to be with out three key gamers from January 3-20 on the very least, with talisman Wilfried Zaha incomes a spot in Ivory Coast's official squad.
Cheikhou Kouyate has missed simply two Premier League video games this season however he may also be absent after being named in Senegal's squad, whereas Jordan Ayew has been named in Ghana's provisional listing.
There's a optimistic for Palace, nevertheless, after Jeffrey Schlupp missed out on a spot in Ghana's provisional squad.
Video games Crystal Palace's AFCON individuals will certainly miss:
- January 8: Millwall (A) - FA Cup Third Spherical
- January 14: Brighton (A) - Premier League
Everton
Everton will not be too badly impacted by AFCON, with simply Alex Iwobi leaving in January.
The ahead, who has scored only one aim in his 13 Premier League outings this season, has been named in Nigeria's official squad.
There had been ideas Jean-Philippe Gbamin, usually a substitute, might be heading away as effectively, however he did not make the Ivory Coast squad.
Video games Iwobi will certainly miss for Everton:
- January 8: Hull (A) - FA Cup Third Spherical
- January 15: Norwich (A) - Premier League
Leicester
Leicester are set to lose 4 gamers to the Africa Cup of Nations, maybe not the most effective timing after their beautiful, momentum-building 1-0 win over Liverpool.
Brendan Rodgers will lose Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi, who've each been named within the Nigeria squad.
In the meantime, Nampalys Mendy will probably be heading away with Senegal, whereas Daniel Amartey has been named in Ghana's provisional squad.
Video games Leicester's AFCON individuals will certainly miss:
- January 8: Watford (H) - FA Cup Third Spherical
- January 15: Burnley (A) - Premier League
Liverpool
Liverpool are undoubtedly one of many groups who will undergo most with AFCON going down throughout the home season, with three important gamers set to depart.
After all, it is Mohamed Salah who takes the headlines, having arguably been the most effective participant in world soccer by the 2021-22 marketing campaign up to now.
The ahead has been named in Egypt's provisional squad listing and will definitely be on the airplane to Cameroon come January 3.
Becoming a member of him will probably be Sadio Mane and Naby Keita, who've been named within the official squads for Senegal and Guinea respectively.
Video games Liverpool's AFCON individuals will certainly miss:
- January 6: Arsenal (A) - Carabao Cup semi-final first leg
- January 9: Shrewsbury (H) - FA Cup Third Spherical
- January 13: Arsenal (H) - Carabao Cup semi-final second leg
- January 16: Brentford (H) - Premier League
Manchester Metropolis
Given Manchester Metropolis's extraordinary squad depth, the lack of Riyad Mahrez should not impression them too drastically.
Mahrez, who captained Algeria to an historic AFCON victory final outing in 2019, has as soon as once more been known as as much as signify his nation.
The winger will probably be Metropolis's one and solely absentee, nevertheless, with the likes of Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Gabriel Jesus all beginning on the bench for his or her most up-to-date victor over Leicester.
Video games Mahrez will certainly miss for Manchester Metropolis:
- January 7: Swindon (A) - FA Cup Third Spherical
- January 15: Chelsea (H) - Premier League
Manchester United
Equally to their neighbours Metropolis, Manchester United may also have simply the one participant absent as a result of Africa Cup of Nations.
That participant is central defender Eric Bailly, who has been chosen for Ivory Coast.
That will not come as an excessive amount of of a blow for United, with the defender that includes simply thrice within the Premier League and 6 occasions in complete this season.
In the meantime, Amad Diallo, who has made only one look for United this season, is not going to be part of his United team-mate in Cameroon after being ignored by Ivory Coast.
Video games Bailly will certainly miss for Manchester United:
- January 10: Aston Villa (H) - FA Cup Third Spherical
- January 15: Aston Villa (A) - Premier League
Southampton
Southampton will probably be with out only one participant, Moussa Djenepo, who will be part of up with fellow Premier League and Mali star Bissouma in Cameroon.
Whereas Djenepo has performed simply eight Premier League sport for the Saints this season, there was extra of a priority that Mohammed Salisu could be absent, regardless of selecting up a pricey purple card in opposition to Tottenham on Tuesday.
Thankfully for the Saints he wasn't named in Ghana's provisional squad.
In contrast to different gamers from the Premier League, Djenepo has already travelled to affix up with the Mali squad.
Video games Djenepo will certainly miss for Southampton:
- January 2: Newcastle (H) - Premier League
- January 8: Swansea (A) - FA Cup Third Spherical
- January 15: Wolves (A) - Premier League
Tottenham
Tottenham will really feel lucky to not have any gamers departing for the Africa Cup of Nations, however their followers should wish to keep watch over proceedings.
That is as a result of summer time signing Pape Matar Sarr, who was instantly loaned again to Ligue 1 facet Metz, will probably be competing for Senegal.
The highly-rated 19-year-old midfielder will be part of Spurs for the 2022-23 season, and AFCON will signify a great alternative for the London membership to get an early look.
Watford
No Premier League workforce has as many gamers leaving for AFCON as Watford, who're set to lose 5 first-team members to the competitors.
Notable absentees will probably be Ismaila Sarr and Emmanuel Dennis, who've been known as as much as the Senegal and Nigeria squads respectively.
Becoming a member of them in Cameroon will probably be Adam Masina and Imran Louza of Morocco, in addition to Nigeria's William Troost-Ekong.
Video games Watford's AFCON individuals will certainly miss:
- January 8: Leicester (A) - FA Cup Third Spherical
- January 15: Newcastle (A) - Premier League
West Ham
West Ham will probably be with out Mentioned Benrahma for a lot of January and probably February, with reigning champions Algeria anticipated to go far within the event.
The midfielder, who has performed in all 19 of the Hammers' 19 Premier League outings, scoring 4 objectives, has been chosen in Algeria's official squad.
David Moyes' facet began the season in spectacular vogue however have dropped off of late, with Benrahma's departure actually not a well timed one.
Video games Benrahma will certainly miss for West Ham:
- January 9: Leeds (H) - FA Cup Third Spherical
- January 16: Leeds (H) - Premier League
Wolves
Lastly we have now Wolves, who will see simply the one participant depart for the Africa Cup of Nations in January, being Romain Saiss, who has been known as up by Morocco.
Saiss has feaured in all 18 of Wolves' Premier League video games and will probably be a miss for supervisor Bruno Lage.
Wolves had additionally been set to be with out Willy Boly, after the defender was named in Ivory Coast's official squad.
The Midlands facet introduced on Tuesday that Boly is 'at the moment' unable to affix his nationwide facet because of a calf damage, nevertheless, They state Boly will rehabilitate at Compton over the subsequent few makes, earlier than a call on his return will probably be made.
Video games Saiss will certainly miss for Wolves:
- January 9: Sheffield United (H) - FA Cup Third Spherical
- January 15: Southampton (H) - Premier League
Premier League gamers are anticipated to play at AFCON
Aston Villa
- Maxwel Cornet (Ivory Coast)
Crystal Palace
Manchester Metropolis
Manchester United
- Eric Bailly (Ivory Coast)
Southampton
