Teams losing players for AFCON is something to consider when weighing up Premier League odds in the coming weeks. Some have lost integral members of their squads, while others will be unaffected by the tournament hosted in Ivory Coast.
International football has been put on the back burner in Europe through the winter months, but this is a hectic time in the sporting calendar with AFCON and the Asian Cup taking place during European club seasons.
With injuries already causing major issues across the Premier League in 2023-24, international duties through January and February will stretch teams even thinner.
For the players, this is an opportunity to make history. Sure, they will have one eye on their club team’s results, but every AFCON is a massive event. Here are the Premier League players named in AFCON squads…
Arsenal – Mohamed Elneny
Mohamed Elneny has played a grand total of one Premier League minute this season. As AFCON begins, Arsenal are on a poor run, having been knocked out of the FA Cup and spluttered in the league.
Elneny’s absence isn’t going to make too much difference to Mikel Arteta, but it further depletes their depth with Thomas Partey and Fabio Vieira sidelined through injury.
Aston Villa – Bertrand Traore
Like Elneny, Bertrand Traore has been out of favour at his club side. He is, however, a crucial member of the Burkina Faso team, and has the second-most caps of the squad for AFCON.
Traore has been dealing with a knock over the last few weeks, and has not appeared for Villa since early November. At least Burkina Faso boss Hubert Velud does not need to worry about fatigue with the former with his skipper.
Bournemouth – Dango Ouattara, Antoine Semenyo
Representing Burkina Faso and Ghana respectively, Dango Ouattara and Antoine Semenyo are significant losses for Bournemouth. They have combined for 29 appearances in the first half of the season, 16 of which have been starts.
Bournemouth have some challenging games to come, including Liverpool, West Ham and Nottingham Forest. Andoni Iraola will be crossing his fingers for no further injuries while Ouattara and Semenyo are unavailable.
Brentford – Yoane Wissa, Frank Onyeka
Brentford have lost five Premier League matches in a row. They will be thankful that they have no more league fixtures until Ivan Toney returns from suspension, particularly with Yoane Wissa heading off to AFCON.
To Finish In Top Half - Brentford
With four goals and an assist, Wissa is one of just three Brentford players with more than two goals this term.
While Frank Onyeka has predominantly been a substitute, he will still be missed while representing Nigeria. Brentford are dealing numerous injuries, and Onyeka is a very useful squad player for Thomas Frank.
Chelsea – Nicolas Jackson
It’s been a difficult first few months in London for Nicolas Jackson. The former Villarreal striker now gets a chance to be a hero for his country, as Senegal look to become the first nation to win consecutive AFCON titles since Egypt in 2010.
Only Cole Palmer can better Jackson’s tally of seven Premier League goals for Chelsea. Mauricio Pochettino is still searching for an effective attacking formula, and there has been a setback for Christopher Nkunku after his return from injury.
Crystal Palace – Jordan Ayew
Crystal Palace notched a vital win in Jordan Ayew’s last Premier League match before joining up with Ghana for AFCON. Ayew put in perhaps his best performance of the season in the win, including an assist for Michael Olise’s opening goal.
That assist was Ayew’s fifth of the campaign. His 3.4 expected assists this season is more than Lucas Paqueta, Jarrod Bowen and James Maddison.
Everton – Idrissa Gueye
Idrissa Gueye is into his mid-thirties, but he’s still an asset for Everton and continues to be a key player for Senegal. The former PSG midfielder has a whopping 107 caps to his name, which is the most in an experienced Senegal squad.
While Gueye is not posting the same eye-popping numbers he did earlier in his career, he’s still up at 2.3 tackles and almost an interception per match. Sean Dyche is one of the best managers to navigate Gueye’s absence, though.
Fulham – Fodo Ballo-Toure, Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi
Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey have combined for 24 Premier League starts this season. Fodo Ballo-Toure has only made four substitute appearances in the league, but his inclusion in the Senegal squad leaves Fulham a bit thin down the left.
Don’t be surprised to see the west London club delve into the transfer market this January. They will be desperate to avoid the slump that saw them slide down the table last season.
Liverpool – Mohamed Salah
Of all the players away at AFCON, Mohamed Salah’s absence has the potential to have the greatest impact on Premier League winner betting odds.
Liverpool are top by three points as of 10th January. Salah is tied with Haaland in the Golden Boot race. The Egyptian has had four more goal involvements than any other player, and will likely be unavailable for the majority of the tournament, with Egypt expected to go on another deep run.
The fixture list has been kind to Liverpool during Salah’s absence until they face Chelsea on 31st January and Arsenal on 4th February.
Luton – Issa Kabore
An already thin Luton squad is being tested further with Issa Kabore’s absence. The right wing-back is second on the team in tackles per 90, and has played 1,053 minutes already in the Premier League.
Luton have a must-win against Burnley on the 12th before facing Brighton, Newcastle and Sheffield United.
Manchester United – Andre Onana, Sofyan Amrabat
Despite some high-profile blunders, Andre Onana has the sixth-best post-shot expected goal plus/minus in the Premier League this term. After a lengthy transfer saga following his excellent World Cup showings, Sofyan Amrabat has played just 612 league minutes.
With Casemiro still sidelined through injury, even more pressure falls on the young shoulders of Kobbie Mainoo while Amrabat pursues Morocco’s second AFCON.
Nottingham Forest – Serge Aurier, Willy Boly, Ibrahim Sangare, Moussa Niakhate, Cheikhou Kouyate, Ola Aina
Nottingham Forest have been hit the hardest of any team. Six players are heading to Ivory Coast for AFCON, and five of those have made double-digit league starts this season.
Cheikhou Kouyate is the only player to have started fewer than 10 times, and the ex-Crystal Palace man has still made 10 appearances in total.
To Be Relegated - Nottingham Forest
The Forest faithful will have been thankful for their two wins at the end of 2023. Nuno Espirito Santo will be hoping the new manager bounce can carry them through a difficult few weeks.
Sheffield United – Anis Ben Slimane, Yasser Larouci
The draw away to Aston Villa seemed to give Sheffield United some hope. Defeats to Luton and Manchester City again leave the Blades looking doomed.
Yasser Larouci and Anis Ben Slimane are not exactly integral members of the squad, but Chris Wilder needs all the help he can get at the moment.
Tottenham – Pape Matar Sarr, Yves Bissouma
Tottenham have arrested their slump with five wins from six across all competitions. Ange Postecoglou has already added Timo Werner in the January window, and rumours about a midfield acquisition are inevitable.
Rodrigo Bentancur has returned from injury at the right time, but Oliver Skipp and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg are the only other options in their two-man midfield.
Losing Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma at the same time is a real blow for Postecoglou. Both Mali and Senegal are fancied to progress, too.
West Ham – Mohammed Kudus, Nayef Aguerd
Scorer of four goals in five matches before departing for AFCON, West Ham will sorely miss Mohammed Kudus. David Moyes has other options in the final third, but losing Kudus as he was hitting a purple patch is disappointing.
Nayef Aguerd’s deputies are not of the same calibre. Moyes will at least be confident his replacements can hold the fort for a few weeks.
Wolves – Rayan Ait-Nouri, Boubacar Traore
After putting together a winning run in the league, Wolves lose Rayan Ait-Nouri and Boubacar Traore for a few weeks. Ait-Nouri has been a regular down the left, while Traore has been handed just three league starts.
Only three points off seventh place in the table, Wolves’ Premier League status is all but locked up for next season. They shouldn’t be hit too hard by these absences.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*
