The 60th edition and 2017 Africa Cup of Nations holding in Gabon is due to start on January 14, and will come to an end on February 5. With several African internationals plying their trades in the English Premier League, it can be expected that their respective clubs will miss them a whole lot for at least 2 fixtures or as much as 4 depending on how far the countries of these players go in the tournament.
In the Premier League, a game is enough to change a club’s fortunes, and 2 is an awful lot in determining where a club ends up at the end of the season, particularly one as highly competitive as this.
In light of this, we look at 5 such crucial players whose clubs would miss a great deal when they are gone for the AFCON.
Manchester United’s defence has become better since the Ivory Coast centre-half arrived from Villareal in the summer transfer window. Bailly has averaged 9 defensive actions per game, won 56% of his tackles and aerial duels, and completed 86% of his take-ons.
The west African has also been impressive on the ball, completing 88% of his passes. Injury has seen him play just 11 league games, and he is set to miss the clashes against Liverpool and Stoke.
Bailly could also miss the games against Hull and Leicester City, given that the Elephants have a great chance of getting to the finals being the Africa Cup of nations’ defending champs.
No player has made more tackles (77) than the Senegalese international defensive midfielder, and it’s no surprise Everton’s biggest loss of the season – the 5 – 0 defeat at Stamford Bridge came in the only game Idrissa missed.
The former Aston Villa player has averaged 4 defensive actions per game, won 56% of his duels and also provided 13 chances, highlighting how useful this box-to-box midfielder has been to Ronald Koeman’s side.
Everton will be without Idrissa against Manchester City and Crystal Palace, but considering the Afcon group B has Algeria and Tunisia, the west Africans could have a tough time finishing top of the group, and his chances of returning to play against either Stoke or Bournemouth are high.
Sunderland’s struggles are just about to get much more worse with their best defender leaving for Gabon to link up with his Ivorian national teammates.
The highly sought-after centre-half has been impressive for the Black Cats despite their struggles to get the results. Kone has averaged 10 defensive actions per 90 minutes, and in total won 52% of his tackles and 66% of his aerial duels.
Stoke, West Brom, Tottenham and Crystal Palace are games Moyes must find a way of not losing without the powerful defender if Ivory Coast go all the way to the finals. It gets worse for the Black Cats as Kone’s partner Papy Djilobodji, will also be on duty with Senegal.
How will Liverpool fare without their Merseyside derby match-winner for the important clashes against Manchester United and Swansea?
Klopp would even secretly hope Senegal don’t go all the way to the finals, with Mane bound to miss the games against Chelsea and Hull City if that happens.
Sadio has scored 8 goals, created 23 key passes and 4 assists in Liverpool’s fine run to 2nd place on the log. His absence could deal a heavy blow to the team’s campaign and title ambitions, and many are keen to see how Liverpool come out unscathed in their fixtures without him.
Leicester City are already looking like potential relegation battle candidates even with last season’s PFA Player of the Year still very much around.
Things could get much worse without him for 2, 3 or 4 matchdays as he prepares to lead Algeria to glory at Gabon. Despite Mahrez’s below-par form, he has created 24 chances, scored thrice and assisted twice thus far.
The defending champs will be without his services against Chelsea and Southampton, while he could also be unavailable against Burnley and Manchester United.
And oh, Islam Slimani will also be gone with him for the time being to lineup for the north African giants.
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