Which Premier League clubs will be more affected when the AFCON gets underway next year

Europe based African stars will be expected to fill the books of their respective countries when the names going to Cameron next January is released. We take a look at the Premier League clubs whose players will be starring for their countries, replacements and the probable effect on the clubs.

African Cup of Nation title on display in the 2017 final. (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - Gabon

The club captain is recently returning to form and the club will surely have a difficult spell without their Goalscorer. However, they will have a good replacement for him in Alexandre Lacazette.

The Frenchman has been limited to few chances at the club and stepping up in Aubameyang absence will be key for the club, and talks can still be held to renew his contract which runs out at the end of the summer.

Thomas Partey - Ghana

Thomas Partey will be the most missed player for Arsenal, one that might even spur them into making new signing in January. The position of Partey at the club is not well stacked in the group, and even now, they struggled without his partner Granit Xhaka.

While Xhaka will be out until the new year, Arsenal will hope he returns before Partey leaves for the Nations Cup. However, that might not be enough to stop them making a new signing, as Sambi Lokonga and the likes are yet to get into gears at the club.

Nicolas Pepe - Ivory Coast

The Ivorian is the most expensive signing in the club's history but has not been convincing with his performance, the Nations Cup is a good opportunity for himself to convince boss Mikel Arteta of his talent and what he can do if given time and opportunities.

The likes of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Gabriel Martinelli and others will continue in his absence and Nico will know the best is to divert all his focus to helping his country do well in the competition, as that will help him get more chances when he returns to the club.

Mohammed Elneny - Egypt 

Not one of the most popular faces at the club and Elneny is considered a squad player. However, the fact that he will also be leaving for the Nations Cup is a big blow for the club as they would have called on him in Partey's absence.

The Egyptian has made just one league appearance this season as a substitute and another two starts in a Carabao Cup game. His significance at the club is to fill-in in situations like this, and sadly, he will not be here now that the club needs him.

Aston Villa

Betrand Traoré - Burkina Faso

Despite his impressive performances last season, the arrival of new players in the summer means Traore has fallen off the pecking order at Villa and all his four appearances in the league this season have come as a substitute.

Leaving for the Nations Cup will give him needed time and games to revive his season and convince the manager for game time as the club, or convince a manager elsewhere to come and get him.

Marvelous Nakamba - Zimbabwe

Nakamba is another African on the books at the Villa Park. He is not a regular but good back up option and for squad rotation during Cup games. Villa will hope players in his position avoid injury or suspension in his absence. If they can achieve these then his absence will not go unnoticed.

Trezeguet - Egypt

The Egyptian is yet to make an appearance this season due to injury. Villa appear to have enough option and there are lots of players ahead of him in the order at the club. The player is expected to return in December and will be hoping to make the squad for the Nations Cup.

Brentford

Frank Onyeka - Nigeria

The Midfielder has been fantastic for the Premier league newcomers and will be hopeful of a place in the Super Eagles squad for Cameron. In his absence, Brentford manager Thomas Frank will have to make do with players like Mathias Jensen, Mads Bidstrup and other young Central Midfielders at the club.

Tariqe Fosu - Ghana

The Ghanaian is not a regular part of the first team and the absence will be that of a player who has not make a single league appearance this season. There are more than enough players at Brentford and Fosu is one whose versatility is useful for rotation purposes.

Brighton & Hove Albion

Bissouma - Mali

Since his last game for the club, a 2-1 win over Leicester City in a league match in September, Brighton have failed to win a league game without the Midfielder who has yet to feature due to personal reasons.

Brighton needs no testament for his importance and they will struggle to get on without their man. Coach Graham Potter has switched to a different formation but the club have been unable to replicate the same performances as with the Malian.

As Bissouma will be leaving for the Nations Cup, the Brighton manager will be hoping the likes of Jakub Moder and Pascal Gross will step up and help them return to winning ways in the league.

Burnley

Maxwel Cornet - Ivory Coast

The Ivorian has made an explosive start to life at Turf Moor, scoring three goals in four league games. He will be a huge miss for a side still in search for their first win in the league this term.

His absence will mean manager Sean Dyche will be left with the usual players at the club in attack, an attack that has yielded just one league goal among themselves this term. Cornet absence will be a huge blow for the club.

Chelsea

Edouard Mendy - Senegal

Arguably the best Goalkeeper in the world currently, Mendy will be a huge miss for Chelsea as he has been a very crucial part of their backline since joining the club at the start of last season.

Mendy has kept a remarkably high five clean sheets in just eight league games so far this season. In his absence, Kepa Arizabalaga, the most expensive goalkeeper in the history of the game will get a chance for run of games.

The Spaniard has also been impressive when called upon this season and will hope this run will help him regain the starting position ahead of Mendy. However, that will not prove an easy feat but with consistency of the Chelsea defenders, his job could be made easier.

Hakim Ziyech - Morocco

Despite Chelsea success in the last season and so far this season, Ziyech has been an in and out of the group. He started life at Chelsea quite well but his importance has started to diminish under Thomas Tuchel.

His absence going to the Nations Cup will not be missed like that of Mendy but for the good of the player himself, this tournament presents an opportunity to remind the world of the brilliance that made Chelsea move for him.

Although, injury has not helped his chances but will hope to have an injury free tournament.

Crystal Palace

Wilfred Zaha - Ivory Coast

The winger has a very astonishing record at the club and Palace have won just three league of 24 games without him. Even with the arrival of attacking players in the summer, Zaha remains the most threatening of them all.

Zaha's absence will give youngsters Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze, the later who is still on the sideline the opportunity to continue their development with good playtime.

Jeffrey Schulpp - Ghana

The player has been a good servant at the club since joining from Leicester City in 2017. He is reliable but not considered a starter except the situation warrants.

Palace now have many options to call on in his positions, and his leaving for the Nations Cup will give manager, Patrick Vieira the chance to field the younger players to give recognition to his kind of game play.

Jordan Ayew - Ghana

Ayew is the most fielded upfront for Palace in the league this season and is yet to open his account. However, players like Odsonne Edouard and Christian Benteke have been much productive than the Ghanaian. His going to the Nations Cup will less affect a side that possess lots of attacking players of his like.

Cheikhou Kouyaté - Senegal

Squad rotation will help the Palace manager get on without Kouyaté.

Everton

Jean-Philippe Gbamin - Ivory Coast

The Midfielder is yet to feature in the league this season and has not really get on since joining the club from Mainz in 2019. He will not be missed by Rafa Benitez side. His focus will be having a good run with the National Team and revive is career, maybe at Everton or secure a move elsewhere.

Leicester City

Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho - Nigeria

The duo are very important players for Leicester City. Ndidi could maybe more important than Iheanacho but Leicester City possess enough players to get on without the duo.

For Ndidi, who is currently out injured is being replaced by summer signing Boubakary Soumare, while the club also have the likes of Hamza Choudhury and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to call on from the bench, although none is as good as the Nigerian but for short term fix.

Patson Daka's Zambia did not qualify for the Nations Cup for the good of Leicester, who have the striker well ready and in form to replace Kelechi Iheanacho.

Daniel Amartey - Ghana

Luckily for Amartey, the injury to Wesley Fofana just before the start of the season has seen him become a rather regular face for the Brendan Rodger's side in the league this season.

However, summer signing Jannik Verstergaard looks ready to get on at the club and Amartey might have lost any hope of getting into the line-up for the club on his return from the tournament. Leicester will also hope Fofana recovers before then.

Nampalys Mendy - Senegal

The Midfielder is yet to make a single appearance for the club this season and the Nations Cup is a win-win situation for all parties. He gets playing time in the competition and return to the club ready to fight for a place in the team.

Liverpool

Mohamed Salah - Egypt

Liverpool will be the most affected Premier League club with three of their finest leaving for the competition. Mohamed Salah, arguably the best player in the world right now will be the highlight of their miss. The Egyptian will represent his nation in Cameron.

Salah, along with Mane will leave, two of the three Liverpool attacking trio. Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota, Takumi Minamino, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and Divock Origi will be available for the club but manager, Jurgen Klopp will know no replacement can offer what his African stars offer.

Sadio Mané - Senegal

Same as Salah, Mane is one of the Liverpool attacking trio and will be a huge miss for the Merseyside club.

Naby Keita - Guinea

The Midfielder is recently returning to his best with impressive performances in last Champions League Matchday and in the league at Old Trafford getting a couple of goals in the games. Injuries to several of Liverpool Midfielders has also helped his game time.

Leaving for the Nations Cup means risking his place in the team but leaving on a high, a good outing in the tournament will help him regain his spot at the club, if he returns and gets up and running right away.

Manchester City

Riyad Mahrez - Algeria

As good as the player is, in a star studded side like Manchester City, where Mahrez himself has been limited to just two starts in the league this season, without question, Pep Guardiola side will get on just fine without the former Leicester City winger.

Manchester United

Eric Bailly and Amad Dialllo - Ivory Coast

Both players are not regular on the team sheet at the club and this competition gives them the chance to show what they have in them that the club need to step up performances.

Bailly is surely not trusted by a Manchester United boss that prefers a defender, Harry Maguire who is out of form and yet to fully recover from injury to Bailly, who is always available and impressed for his country in the world cup qualifiers.

Amad almost secured a loan move to another club in the summer but the move fell through at the last minute, hence he has been unable to make a appearance at club level football this season.

Southampton

Mohammed Salisu - Ghana

The defender last appeared for his country in 2019 and following a good start to the season with Southampton, he could be called upon by coach Milovan Rajevac.

Moussa Djenepo - Mali

Into his third season at the club, Djenepo is yet to establish himself as a regular starter for The Saints. Going to the Nations Cup will not be a problem for the club, who will hope him good run and to improve before his return.

Watford

William Troost-Ekong, Oghenekaro Etebo and Emmanuel Dennis - Nigeria

William Troost-Ekong and Oghenekaro Etebo are regulars for the Premier League newcomers and they will be huge miss for The Hornets. Troost-Ekong is an ever present figure in the backline and Claudio Ranieri will hope the likes of Francisco Sierralta and Christian Kabasele will hit the ground running on their return from injury.

Etebo is currently on the sideline and the club is getting used to his absence before the Nations Cup. Moussa Sissoko and Juraj Kucka have formed a partnership in the heart of the Midfield and thriving in the Nations Cup will be key for Etebo to get back into the mix under the new manager.

Emmanuel Dennis has not been involved with the National Team since March this year. However, his form could be tempting and a call-up can not be ruled out. If he is indeed call-up, then the likes of Juan Hernandez and Joao Pedro will get more chance in the attack.

Ismaila Sarr - Senegal

Arguably the best player at the club, Watford will hope in Sarr's absence, Emmanuel Dennis will not be teaming up with Nigeria, lest they will be left with young and fringe players.

As his Nation is also one of the favourites for the trophy, he will be expected to miss several league games between January and February, and that is a big blow for a team battling poor start to the season.

Imran Louza and Adam Massina - Morocco

Louza has not been much involved with the team since joining from Nantes in the summer and his absence will mean little to nothing but they will wish their £9million investment good fortune so he can prove his worth at the club.

West Ham United

Said Benrahma - Algeria

West Ham United know that Benrahma will miss a lot of league action due to his country being huge favourite for the prize they won in 2019. The Desert Warriors are currently over 30 games unbeaten heading into the competition and that will make they a team to beat.

In his absence, summer signing Nicola Vlasic and Manuel Lanzini are options for David Moyes.

Wolverhampton Wonderers

 

Willy Boly - Ivory Coast

The defender switched his allegiance to Ivory Coast last year and had won four caps. This will be his first tournament with his country but he hasn't feature for his club this season so for Wolves, participating in the competition will feel as though he has yet to recover from injury, and those who came in in his absence will continue.

Romain Saiss - Morocco

His absence will be a huge blow for Wolves given Willy Boly will also be leaving. Wolves will be short of options in defense as even most of the probable replacements are currently injured and some are yet to feature this season.

Bruno Lage will hope in his absence, the players maintain discipline and avoid suspension while also remaining fit throughout the time.

As it stands

As it stands, Chelsea will be one of the big losers given the significance of Edouard Mendy but Kepa Arizabalaga is building a new and better reputation for himself, so that will be good news for Thomas Tuchel.

As for Arsenal, the scenario means they will have to bring in someone in January, though not a priority as they have replacements but if they want the quality Thomas Partey offers, they'll need new signing if Granit Xhaka is yet to recover till then.

The Mancunian clubs (Manchester City and United) will in no way be affected but title contender, Liverpool will be most affected, and it will be evidence in the games played without both of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané.

These absence will give the chance for clubs like Manchester City, Chelsea and other title contenders to try and overtake or close in on Jurgen Klopp side on the Premier League standings.

Teams like Crystal Palace and Leicester City will miss their men but have replacements in stock. Burnley and Brighton each have a player leaving but that will be huge blow for them, more than Aston Villa and Southampton, the later who might lose two, as it is not sure Mohamed Salisu will be leaving.

Leeds United, Tottenham Hotspur, Norwich City and Newcastle United have no members leaving. For Everton, it is like no one is leaving after all.

The African Nations Cup kicks off on 9th January, next year and the final will be played on the 6th of February.

Afolabi Kehinde Hassan