da gbg bet： The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is set to disrupt the European season, with some Premier League clubs set to be severely affected
da dobrowin： In an attempt to avoid overlapping with the European club campaign, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations was initially set to be played in June and July. However, due to concerns over adverse weather conditions in Ivory Coast, the tournament was pushed back. It will now run between 13 January and 11 February.
The news went down like a lead balloon for Premier League clubs. For years, one of the pitfalls of signing the best African players has been the prospect of losing them for the tournament during the busy winter period.
And, thanks to the scheduling change, this season will be no different. Few English clubs will escape the effects of the 2023 AFCON, with as many as 31 players set to miss games for their respective clubs when the action kicks off.
Below, GOAL has taken a look at which Premier League stars are poised for a tournament-enforced absence this winter.
Getty ImagesRayan Ait-Nouri (Algeria)
Ait-Nouri is only a relatively recent addition to the Algeria ranks, having switched international allegiances from France in March 2023. Secretly, Wolves might have been hoping he was left out of the Fennec Foxes' AFCON squad as he is one of their most consistent performers.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesYasser Larouci (Algeria)
Sheffield United defender Larouci is on a season-long loan from Troyes and started a few times towards the beginning of the campaign. That playing time has drastically reduced more recently, however, and it was a surprise to see him named in the Algeria squad.
Getty ImagesBertrand Traore (Burkina Faso)
Unplayable on his day, Traore has blown hot and cold since signing for Aston Villa. His progress was hampered by an injury-hit 2022-23 campaign, and it's been a similar story this campaign. He still made his nation's squad, though.
Getty ImagesDango Ouattara (Burkina Faso)
Ouattara was one of the spate of January signings that helped propel Bournemouth to Premier League safety last season. Unfortunately, an injury prevented his involvement early on this season, though he's returned to play left back in more recent times.