SBOTOP Premier League at AFCON: Teams Set to Struggle with Player Absences and Key Matches Affected

As the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament approaches, Premier League clubs are bracing themselves for a significant disruption in their campaigns. The competition, which brings together the continent’s best footballing talent, will see a number of star players leave for international duty, leaving their clubs to face the challenge of managing without their key figures. With AFCON taking place in the middle of the Premier League season, clubs are set to endure both a drop in quality and a potential shift in the balance of power, affecting the title race, relegation battle, and crucial fixtures.

This article will explore how teams are preparing for player absences due to AFCON, which matches are set to be most impacted, and which teams are likely to struggle the most. We will also discuss the tactical adjustments that managers may need to make to navigate the upcoming period and the effect of these absences on the Premier League as a whole.

AFCON The Impact of International Duty on Premier League Clubs

The African Cup of Nations, held every four years, is one of the continent’s most prestigious tournaments, attracting the best players from across Africa. The competition typically lasts for a month, and this year it coincides with the Premier League’s busy winter schedule. As a result, clubs will be without several key players for an extended period, and the absence of these talents could have major consequences on the team’s performance.

For many Premier League clubs, AFCON presents a logistical nightmare, as teams must manage injuries, suspensions, and the general fatigue of players who have been away for international duty. It is particularly problematic for clubs that rely heavily on African players, who form the backbone of their starting lineups. For example, clubs like Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Leicester City are all set to lose key figures for the duration of the tournament, which could affect their form in critical league matches.

Key Players and Clubs Affected by AFCON

Several Premier League clubs will feel the absence of their African stars during the competition. Among the top names expected to represent their countries are Mohamed Salah (Egypt), Sadio Mané (Senegal), Riyad Mahrez (Algeria), and N’Golo Kanté (France, though of African descent and eligible for AFCON). Their departure leaves a substantial gap in the lineups of their respective teams.

Liverpool and Mohamed Salah:
Liverpool will lose one of their most important attacking forces in Mohamed Salah. Salah has been a key player for Liverpool, helping them secure numerous victories, and his absence will certainly impact their attacking options. Jurgen Klopp’s side has already relied heavily on Salah’s goal-scoring prowess, and with him gone for AFCON, the manager will need to find alternative ways to create and finish chances.
Manchester City and Riyad Mahrez:
Riyad Mahrez has been instrumental in Manchester City’s attacking play since joining from Leicester City. His absence will be keenly felt, especially in big matches where his creativity and ability to unlock defenses have been crucial. Pep Guardiola will have to adapt his system to cope without Mahrez, and he may rely more on players like Jack Grealish and Phil Foden to step up in his absence.
Chelsea and N’Golo Kanté:
N’Golo Kanté’s ability to break up opposition attacks and control the midfield is unmatched. His departure for AFCON will leave a significant void in Chelsea’s midfield, and Thomas Tuchel will need to rethink his tactics to maintain the same level of balance and intensity. Chelsea’s deep squad may help mitigate the loss, but they will still miss Kanté’s leadership and energy in the center of the park.
Leicester City and Wilfred Ndidi:
Leicester City will miss Wilfred Ndidi, a player who is key to their midfield and defensive stability. Ndidi’s ability to win the ball back and shield the defense has been crucial for the Foxes, and his absence will leave a significant gap in Brendan Rodgers’ midfield. With Leicester already struggling in the Premier League, losing a player of Ndidi’s caliber could further harm their hopes of finishing in a European spot.
Arsenal and Thomas Partey:
Thomas Partey, the Ghanaian midfielder for Arsenal, has become an essential part of Mikel Arteta’s team. His ability to break up play and distribute the ball from deep will be sorely missed during AFCON. Arsenal will have to adapt, and this could be a crucial time for Arteta to rotate his squad and give players like Granit Xhaka and Albert Sambi Lokonga a chance to step up.

The Premier League Fixture Calendar When Will the Key Matches Be Affected

AFCON takes place during one of the busiest periods of the Premier League season. The tournament typically runs from early January to early February, coinciding with key league matches, cup fixtures, and even European competitions. With several teams losing star players, these matches are likely to be impacted in a variety of ways, especially those involving clubs with deep ambitions for the title or European qualification.

Title Contenders’ Struggles:
Teams like Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea are expected to be in the mix for the Premier League title. However, with the loss of key African players, these clubs could face a more difficult run of fixtures. Matches against mid-table sides and relegation candidates, which are often seen as “must-win” games, will become even more challenging without players like Mahrez, Salah, and Kanté.

For example, Liverpool’s matches against teams like Crystal Palace, Brighton, and Southampton could be tough without Salah and Sadio Mané. Similarly, Chelsea, missing both Kanté and possibly Hakim Ziyech, could struggle in games against lower-table teams that have already shown resilience in the league.
Relegation Battle:
On the flip side, clubs fighting relegation may have an opportunity to capitalize on the absences of key players at the top. Teams like Watford, Burnley, and Newcastle United, who are often involved in relegation scraps, may find that matches against title-challenging clubs are more winnable during this period. For example, if Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi is unavailable, a club like Norwich City may see this as an opportunity to secure an unlikely win.
FA Cup and European Competitions:
The absence of key players also affects other competitions, such as the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League. Clubs like Manchester City and Chelsea, both of whom have aspirations for silverware in Europe and domestically, will need to balance their squad rotations effectively. Losing players for both the Premier League and the FA Cup could create a potential fixture congestion issue, especially if these clubs face early eliminations or drawn-out competitions.

Tactical Adjustments How Managers Will Adapt to AFCON Absences

Managers in the Premier League will need to make tactical adjustments to ensure their teams remain competitive during the AFCON period. While some clubs will simply try to rotate their squad effectively, others will need to make more significant changes to their playing style.

Liverpool’s Depth in Attack:
Liverpool, for example, may lean more heavily on the attacking trio of Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino, and the emerging talent of Luis Díaz. Klopp has already shown that he is capable of adjusting his tactics when key players are missing, but he will need his attacking players to maintain a high level of performance in Salah and Mané’s absence.
Manchester City’s Versatility:
Pep Guardiola’s tactical flexibility will come in handy as Mahrez heads to the tournament. Guardiola often uses multiple formations and attacking strategies, and he may shift to a more possession-heavy style, utilizing players like Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, and Jack Grealish to create opportunities.
Chelsea’s Defensive Solidity:
For Chelsea, the absence of N’Golo Kanté could force Tuchel to prioritize defensive stability. Players like Jorginho and Mateo Kovačić will need to step up and provide more control in the middle of the park, while Chelsea’s strong defensive structure will have to remain intact despite the lack of Kanté’s ball-winning ability.
Leicester City’s Midfield Reshuffle:
Leicester City will need to adopt a more defensive-minded approach in Ndidi’s absence. This could see the team playing more direct football, with a focus on counter-attacks. Rodgers may also turn to new signings or younger players to fill the void, but the loss of Ndidi could prove costly in terms of maintaining possession and breaking up attacks.