Archive · 18 Dec 2025
AFCON Disrupts Premier League with Key Player Absences
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is happening right in the middle of the Premier League season.
This means many important players from different teams are leaving to play in the tournament.
Teams like Liverpool and Manchester United will miss key players like Mohamed Salah and Bryan Mbeumo.
Sunderland, a team that has been doing well, will miss six players, which could be a big problem for them.
Other teams like Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Chelsea don't have any players going to AFCON, which might give them an advantage.
The Premier League doesn't have a winter break, so this is a busy time with many games and the FA Cup.
It's a tough situation for the teams that have to deal with these player absences.
Mohamed Salah and Bryan Mbeumo among key players leaving for AFCON
Sunderland loses six players, potentially impacting their strong start
AFCON scheduled during the busy Premier League season, causing disruptions
Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Chelsea have no players in AFCON, giving them an advantage
Premier League teams like Liverpool and Manchester United expected to cope with player absences
- Who
- Premier League clubs and players heading to AFCON
- What
- AFCON causing player absences in the Premier League
- When
- AFCON runs from January 18 to February 11, 2024
- Where
- AFCON held in Morocco, affecting Premier League teams
- Why
- AFCON scheduled during the Premier League season, causing disruptions
- Mohamed Salah
- Liverpool, Egypt
- Bryan Mbeumo
- Manchester United, Cameroon
- Sunderland
- 6 players absent for AFCON
- AFCON Dates
- January 18 to February 11, 2024
- Arsenal
- No players in AFCON
- Aston Villa
- No players in AFCON
- Chelsea
- No players in AFCON