The 2023/24 Premier League campaign is now at the halfway stage. However, internationals are upon us once more as the league takes a prolonged break.
The latest edition of the Africa Cup of Nations is now just a matter of days away. This will see a number of teams part ways with some of their players in the middle of their campaign as they jet off to represent their respective countries, as Ivory Coast hosts the next instalment of the tournament.
And with the squads confirmed ahead of the 2023 AFCON, Football FanCast has taken a look at exactly who could be missing over the next few weeks.
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ByAlex CapleOct 13, 2023 Arsenal – 1 player Mohamed Elneny (Egypt)
Arsenal are set to lose Mohamed Elneny as he attempts to help Egypt to another AFCON crown.
The Pharaohs haven’t won since securing a third successive title in 2010 and have lost two of the previous three finals – with Elneny scoring in their 2-1 defeat to Cameroon in 2017.
While Thomas Partey was expected to also be missing for the Gunners, his injury issues meant that he was left out of the Ghana squad to continue his recovery in north London.
Aston Villa – 1 player Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso)
Much like the north London side, Villa could find themselves getting off lightly from the AFCON tournament with just one absentee.
Bertrand Traore has been named in Burkina Faso’s squad. As with Elneny at Arsenal, this is not a player who has a huge influence on the starting XI, having only played nine minutes in the Premier League so far this term, so is unlikely to leave a dent in Unai Emery’s plans.
Bournemouth – 2 players Dango Ouatarra (Burkina Faso), Antoine Semenyo (Ghana)
The Cherries will lose Dango Ouatarra, who represents Burkina Faso alongside the likes of Bertrand Traore and Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba.
Ouattara enjoyed a significant moment in Bournemouth’s 2022/23 campaign when he scored the winning goal away to Tottenham Hotspur. He hasn’t exactly hit those heights so far this term, but has played a key role filling in at left-back in recent games under Andoni Iraola.
Iraola will also be without Antoine Semenyo, with the right-winger being selected to represent Ghana. Semenyo has played a significant role in the Bournemouth side this season, with 16 appearances, three goals and two assists in the Premier League alone (via Transfermarkt).
Brentford – 2 players Yoane Wissa (DR Congo), Frank Onyeka (Nigeria)
Thomas Frank is set to lose two players to AFCON, with Frank Onyeka selected in the Nigeria squad.
The 25-year-old has yet to be a prominent feature in Frank’s side since the start of the season, so his absence may not prove to be a huge blow for the Bees.
And while the injured Bryan Mbeumo will be missing for Cameroon, fellow Brentford attacker Yoane Wissa will be representing DR Congo in Ivory Coast.
Having been grouped with World Cup semi-finalists Morocco, Bees fans may be hoping an early exit is on the cards for Wissa’s nation.
Brighton & Hove Albion – 1 player Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast)
After being handed a number of injury setbacks recently, Roberto De Zerbi will be delighted that his side will not be heavily affected by the tournament, with just one player heading off to represent his country.
That player is Simon Adingra, who has played a considerable role in the Italian’s side thus far, having racked up 17 appearances in the Premier League already (via Transfermarkt).
However, Adingra is one of those players who has recently been added to the Brighton injury list after missing their last two games against Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.
Nevertheless, he may be missing for longer than intended if hosts Ivory Coast go deep into the tournament.
Chelsea – 1 player Nicolas Jackson (Senegal)
Chelsea will only see their squad reduced by one player over January as a result of the Africa Cup of Nations, but it will be a significant blow for Mauricio Pochettino.
Indeed, the Argentine will be without his joint-top scorer as Nicolas Jackson leads the Chelsea scoring charts alongside Cole Palmer with a return of eight goals in his 23 appearances.
It has been a turbulent campaign for Chelsea thus far, but the Blues have recently found some consistent form, so a loss like Jackson is the last thing Pochettino will have wanted.
Crystal Palace – 1 player Jordan Ayew (Ghana)
Roy Hodgson’s side will be hit with an attacking absentee over the AFCON tournament, and it could prove a huge omission from the manager’s starting XI.
Indeed, the Eagles will be without Jordan Ayew, who has made 18 starts in the Premier League alone this season, where he has been able to provide a solid return of seven goal contributions.
Everton – 1 player Idrissa Gueye (Senegal)
After a tricky start to the campaign for Sean Dyche’s men, the last thing the manager will want to think about is the prospect of losing some of his starting players to mid-season international duty.
However, that is exactly what the Merseysiders face in January with Idrissa Gueye available to represent Senegal. Perhaps thankfully, Abdoulaye Doucoure had declared he would not make himself available for selection for Mali, handing Dyche some respite.
Everton may be in a position of relative safety amid their ten-point deduction, though they head into the tournament in 17th place after losing their last three league games.
Fulham – 3 players Calvin Bassey (Nigeria), Alex Iwobi (Nigeria), Fode Ballo-Toure (Senegal)
Until the summer’s deadline day, the Cottagers could have gotten away with minimal damage to their squad ahead of the tournament.
However, Alex Iwobi’s call-up means Marco Silva’s side will lose the midfielder as he looks to rack up some more caps for Nigeria, along with compatriot Calvin Bassey.
The Super Eagles drew the tournament hosts, Ivory Coast, which means Iwobi and co will be coming up against the likes of former Premier League star Nicolas Pepe and ex-Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie.
Elsewhere, Milan loanee Fode Ballo-Toure is among Senegal’s contingent, making Fulham one of the most-affected teams in the English top flight.