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With the African Cup of Nations on the horizon many clubs are begin to sweat over how the loss of key players will affect their season.
With players possibly missing up to ten domestic games, the timing of the tournament couldn't be worse for some. Although the three clubs (Aston Villa, Manchester United, Manchester City) who are not losing anyone will be licking their lips in anticipation of their rivals being without some vital players at a key stage to the season. Although in Derby's case it probably won't make much of a difference.
We at Football365 have looked at the clubs who could be losing players and have assessed how it will affect them.
Dates:
Group stages: 20th - 31st January
Quarter finals: 3rd - 4th February
Semi-finals: 7th February
Final: 10th February
Arsenal
Missing Men: Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue (Ivory Coast), Alexandre Song (Cameroon)
The Gunners will be hoping that their two Elephants (not because they have big trunks, it's the Ivory Coast's nickname) forget their stunning domestic form and come back home as soon as possible. The loss of Toure and Eboue could prove very costly in Arsenal's hunt for the title. Arsene Wenger may well consider bringing in another centre-back in the absence of Toure, or perhaps pull yet another proverbial rabbit out of his hat in the form of a defensive wonderkid.
Birmingham City
Missing Men: Medhi Nafti and Radhi Jaidi (Tunisia), Oliver Tebily (Ivory Coast)
Many expect Steve Bruce to bring in a few more players during the January transfer window as the Blues continue to struggle. And it wouldn't be surprising if the players Bruce brought in were in Nafti and Jaidi's positions. Whilst Jaidi has only made three starts this season, Nafti has been an ever present for Birmingham in centre midfield and will be sorely missed.
Blackburn Rovers
Missing Men: Benni McCarthy and Aaron Mokoena (South Africa)
No-one will have been more upset than Mark Hughes when it was announced that Benni McCarthy and the South African Football Association had patched up their differences. It seems likely that Sparky will be losing his leading scorer for up to six weeks along with Mokoena as they jet off to Ghana. The only consolation for Hughes comes in the massive form of Christopher Samba staying in Lancashire after the DR Congo failed to qualify.
Bolton
Missing Men: El Hadji Diouf (Senegal), Abdoulaye Meite (Ivory Coast)
Gary Megson won't be looking forward to January, and not just because he'll be having to convince prospective players that it's worth coming to the Reebok. The Trotters will be losing two of their first-choice XI and in Diouf perhaps their best player, one they would be hoping could propel them up the table and away from the unfamiliar drop zone.
Chelsea
Missing Men: Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou (Ivory Coast), Michael Essien (Ghana), John Obi Mikel (Nigeria)
Like Arsenal, the African Cup of Nations could prove to be a hammer blow for Chelsea's title chances, with them losing four key players. Avram Grant has already expressed his dismay at the timing of the tournament claiming it should be held during the summer break - although anyone with any sense would know that was Africa's rainy season, apparently. The Blues have already confirmed that they will open their massive wallet in an attempt to find some cover when the transfer window opens, otherwise they could be stuck playing Shevchenko up front. Oh dear.
Derby
Missing Men: Mo Camara (Guinea)
Guinea isn't very well known and neither is Derby defender Mo Camara, who has never represented his home nation and seems unlikely to force his way into the squad with a grand total of two run-outs this season. Although stranger things have happened - Derby have won one game this season, for example. Billy Davies was certainly going to dip into the transfer market in January but it won't be to replace Camara, who the wee Scotchman probably won't be losing any sleep over if he is selected.
Everton
Missing Men: Yakubu, Joseph Yobo and Victor Anichebe (Nigeria), Steven Pienaar (South Africa)
Everton fans will have been gutted to see Yakubu included in the recent Nigeria squad after the he made up with Eagles coach Berti Vogts. The Toffees fans will now be sweating over whether Anichebe makes the final cut after the youngster's explosive start to the season. Throw in the loss of two more first-team regulars in Yobo and Piennar and Everton's thin squad begins to look deserted.
Fulham
Missing Men: Diomansy Kamara (Senegal)
Lawrie Sanchez will be surprised to see one of his Fulham Norn Irish squad called up to this African tournament, but summer signing Diomansy Kamara is seemingly on his way to Ghana. Despite not having the best start to the season Kamara will be missed as Fulham could continue to struggle...but surely Sanchez can't be allowed to spend any more money in the transfer window.
Liverpool
Missing Men: Mohammed Sissoko (Mali), Nabil El Zhar (Morocco)
Despite losing a regular first-team player Liverpool certainly have enough cover to cope with the loss, and perhaps this has been the chance Rafael Benitez has been waiting to blood youngster Lucas Leiva. Having said that it wouldn't surprise anyone if Benitez used that as an excuse to dip into the transfer market again. Unlike Arsenal and Chelsea, Liverpool won't be losing a key player, so this shouldn't harm their burgeoning title challenge too much.
Middlesbrough
Missing Men: Mido and Mohammed Shawky (Egypt)
It will be interesting to see if Mido can match his infamous bust-up with Egyptian coach Hassan Shehata when the two had to be separated at the semi-final stage two years ago. Apparently the two have put all their differences behind them now, but watch this space. On the home front Gareth Southgate will be kicking himself, after finally signing a decent striker he is about to lose him, and given Egypt are defending champions it wouldn't surprise anyone if he and Shawky were gone for the whole six weeks.
Newcastle
Missing Men: Geremi (Cameroon), Obafemi Martins and Celestine Babayaro (Nigeria) Abdoulaye Faye and Habib Beye (Senegal)
Sam Allardyce will be hoping that his bad luck with injuries finishes before he loses five more players, two of which have been very influential in his season so far. Newcastle have never been known for their defensive qualities and losing three defenders in Faye, Beye and Babayaro may make for some goal-filled games at St James' Park. Either that or they will actually have to learn how to defend. Big Sam had his work cut out before this tournament snatched four of his players, now he will find it very difficult to match the expectation placed upon him unless he gets even more of Mike Ashley's cash to splash.
Portsmouth
Missing Men: Sulley Muntari (Ghana), Papa Bouba Diop (Senegal) John Utaka and Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria), Djimi Traore (Mali), Lauren (Cameroon)
No-one has bemoaned the timing of the African Nations more than Harry Redknapp, as he envisions his plucky Pompey side's march to Europe grinding to halt in the new year. Portsmouth could lose up to six players, more than any other club, meaning Redknapp's view of January and February has become bleak. Now could be the time for David Nugent to step up and prove he is more than just an over-hyped Championship player who got a lucky break. One minor consolation Pompey can take is that Zimbabwe failed to qualify, meaning that their current leading scorer Benjani will be staying on the south coast.
Reading
Missing Men: Ibrahima Sonko (Senegal) Emerse Fae (Ivory Coast), Andre Bikey (Cameroon), Kalifa Cisse (Mali)
A lot of Reading's forthcoming problems will depend on how many of their four eligible players are selected for the tournament. All four have yet to represent their respective nations this season and with a squad as thin as Reading's it could be a disaster to their survival fight if anyone made the trip to Ghana. Steve Coppell was probably going to take a rummage through the transfer market before this problem came along, but the selection of anyone of these players will almost certainly force his hand.
Sunderland
Missing Men: Dickson Etuhu (Nigeria)
Roy Keane will be cooly sitting back when the African Nations squads are announced knowing that the chances of Etuhu being called up are very slim. The midfielder has never respresnted his country and was omitted from the recent Nigeria squad for a friendly. In the unlikely event that Etuhu is selected Keane will certainly have to look for a replacement for one of his first-choice midfielders, meaning we can expect more moaning from Keane over attracting players.
Tottenham
Missing Men: Didier Zokora (Ivory Coast), Benoit Assou-Ekotto (Cameroon) and Hossam Ghaly (Egypt)
Tottenham's African trio have hardly featured for them this season with only Zokora making regular appearances. Having said that, none of them have played for their respective nations this season and Spurs could be fortunate enough to avoid the dreaded call-up. Either way Juande Ramos might not care as rumours continue to circulate of the so-called 'Ramos Revolution'. You never know, there might not be any eligible players left at White Hart Lane when Ramos is finished.
West Ham
Missing Men: John Pantsil (Ghana) Henri Camara (Senegal)
Despite the fact that between them these two have only notched up eight appearances this season, you should still expect West Ham to be linked with another defender and striker just in case both Pantsil and Camara are called away. Not that the Hammers would have kept their noses out of the transfer market in January anyway. Like a lot of other African players these two have failed to turn out for their country this season, but it wouldn't come as a shock if they were selected, as the pair have 77 international caps between them.
Wigan
Missing Men: Julius Aghahowa (Nigeria), Salomon Olembe (Cameroon)
Despite Wigan's desperate situation, not many Latics will shed a tear if Aghahowa or Olembe get the call-up. Aghahowa has been largely disappointing since his £2.1million move to Wigan last year, making just 15 largely substiture appearances, and has yet to score. As for Olembe, he has been virtually non-existent this season, playing just once. That isn't really the form that would usually get you a call-up to your national side, although Paul Robinson still manages it. But don't be taken aback if they are included in the final squad - they both have a great deal of international experience between them. Whoever the Wigan manager is they may be searching for a quick fix solution to the two departures.
Chris Rivers
With players possibly missing up to ten domestic games, the timing of the tournament couldn't be worse for some. Although the three clubs (Aston Villa, Manchester United, Manchester City) who are not losing anyone will be licking their lips in anticipation of their rivals being without some vital players at a key stage to the season. Although in Derby's case it probably won't make much of a difference.
We at Football365 have looked at the clubs who could be losing players and have assessed how it will affect them.
Dates:
Group stages: 20th - 31st January
Quarter finals: 3rd - 4th February
Semi-finals: 7th February
Final: 10th February
Arsenal
Missing Men: Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue (Ivory Coast), Alexandre Song (Cameroon)
The Gunners will be hoping that their two Elephants (not because they have big trunks, it's the Ivory Coast's nickname) forget their stunning domestic form and come back home as soon as possible. The loss of Toure and Eboue could prove very costly in Arsenal's hunt for the title. Arsene Wenger may well consider bringing in another centre-back in the absence of Toure, or perhaps pull yet another proverbial rabbit out of his hat in the form of a defensive wonderkid.
Birmingham City
Missing Men: Medhi Nafti and Radhi Jaidi (Tunisia), Oliver Tebily (Ivory Coast)
Many expect Steve Bruce to bring in a few more players during the January transfer window as the Blues continue to struggle. And it wouldn't be surprising if the players Bruce brought in were in Nafti and Jaidi's positions. Whilst Jaidi has only made three starts this season, Nafti has been an ever present for Birmingham in centre midfield and will be sorely missed.
Blackburn Rovers
Missing Men: Benni McCarthy and Aaron Mokoena (South Africa)
No-one will have been more upset than Mark Hughes when it was announced that Benni McCarthy and the South African Football Association had patched up their differences. It seems likely that Sparky will be losing his leading scorer for up to six weeks along with Mokoena as they jet off to Ghana. The only consolation for Hughes comes in the massive form of Christopher Samba staying in Lancashire after the DR Congo failed to qualify.
Bolton
Missing Men: El Hadji Diouf (Senegal), Abdoulaye Meite (Ivory Coast)
Gary Megson won't be looking forward to January, and not just because he'll be having to convince prospective players that it's worth coming to the Reebok. The Trotters will be losing two of their first-choice XI and in Diouf perhaps their best player, one they would be hoping could propel them up the table and away from the unfamiliar drop zone.
Chelsea
Missing Men: Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou (Ivory Coast), Michael Essien (Ghana), John Obi Mikel (Nigeria)
Like Arsenal, the African Cup of Nations could prove to be a hammer blow for Chelsea's title chances, with them losing four key players. Avram Grant has already expressed his dismay at the timing of the tournament claiming it should be held during the summer break - although anyone with any sense would know that was Africa's rainy season, apparently. The Blues have already confirmed that they will open their massive wallet in an attempt to find some cover when the transfer window opens, otherwise they could be stuck playing Shevchenko up front. Oh dear.
Derby
Missing Men: Mo Camara (Guinea)
Guinea isn't very well known and neither is Derby defender Mo Camara, who has never represented his home nation and seems unlikely to force his way into the squad with a grand total of two run-outs this season. Although stranger things have happened - Derby have won one game this season, for example. Billy Davies was certainly going to dip into the transfer market in January but it won't be to replace Camara, who the wee Scotchman probably won't be losing any sleep over if he is selected.
Everton
Missing Men: Yakubu, Joseph Yobo and Victor Anichebe (Nigeria), Steven Pienaar (South Africa)
Everton fans will have been gutted to see Yakubu included in the recent Nigeria squad after the he made up with Eagles coach Berti Vogts. The Toffees fans will now be sweating over whether Anichebe makes the final cut after the youngster's explosive start to the season. Throw in the loss of two more first-team regulars in Yobo and Piennar and Everton's thin squad begins to look deserted.
Fulham
Missing Men: Diomansy Kamara (Senegal)
Lawrie Sanchez will be surprised to see one of his Fulham Norn Irish squad called up to this African tournament, but summer signing Diomansy Kamara is seemingly on his way to Ghana. Despite not having the best start to the season Kamara will be missed as Fulham could continue to struggle...but surely Sanchez can't be allowed to spend any more money in the transfer window.
Liverpool
Missing Men: Mohammed Sissoko (Mali), Nabil El Zhar (Morocco)
Despite losing a regular first-team player Liverpool certainly have enough cover to cope with the loss, and perhaps this has been the chance Rafael Benitez has been waiting to blood youngster Lucas Leiva. Having said that it wouldn't surprise anyone if Benitez used that as an excuse to dip into the transfer market again. Unlike Arsenal and Chelsea, Liverpool won't be losing a key player, so this shouldn't harm their burgeoning title challenge too much.
Middlesbrough
Missing Men: Mido and Mohammed Shawky (Egypt)
It will be interesting to see if Mido can match his infamous bust-up with Egyptian coach Hassan Shehata when the two had to be separated at the semi-final stage two years ago. Apparently the two have put all their differences behind them now, but watch this space. On the home front Gareth Southgate will be kicking himself, after finally signing a decent striker he is about to lose him, and given Egypt are defending champions it wouldn't surprise anyone if he and Shawky were gone for the whole six weeks.
Newcastle
Missing Men: Geremi (Cameroon), Obafemi Martins and Celestine Babayaro (Nigeria) Abdoulaye Faye and Habib Beye (Senegal)
Sam Allardyce will be hoping that his bad luck with injuries finishes before he loses five more players, two of which have been very influential in his season so far. Newcastle have never been known for their defensive qualities and losing three defenders in Faye, Beye and Babayaro may make for some goal-filled games at St James' Park. Either that or they will actually have to learn how to defend. Big Sam had his work cut out before this tournament snatched four of his players, now he will find it very difficult to match the expectation placed upon him unless he gets even more of Mike Ashley's cash to splash.
Portsmouth
Missing Men: Sulley Muntari (Ghana), Papa Bouba Diop (Senegal) John Utaka and Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria), Djimi Traore (Mali), Lauren (Cameroon)
No-one has bemoaned the timing of the African Nations more than Harry Redknapp, as he envisions his plucky Pompey side's march to Europe grinding to halt in the new year. Portsmouth could lose up to six players, more than any other club, meaning Redknapp's view of January and February has become bleak. Now could be the time for David Nugent to step up and prove he is more than just an over-hyped Championship player who got a lucky break. One minor consolation Pompey can take is that Zimbabwe failed to qualify, meaning that their current leading scorer Benjani will be staying on the south coast.
Reading
Missing Men: Ibrahima Sonko (Senegal) Emerse Fae (Ivory Coast), Andre Bikey (Cameroon), Kalifa Cisse (Mali)
A lot of Reading's forthcoming problems will depend on how many of their four eligible players are selected for the tournament. All four have yet to represent their respective nations this season and with a squad as thin as Reading's it could be a disaster to their survival fight if anyone made the trip to Ghana. Steve Coppell was probably going to take a rummage through the transfer market before this problem came along, but the selection of anyone of these players will almost certainly force his hand.
Sunderland
Missing Men: Dickson Etuhu (Nigeria)
Roy Keane will be cooly sitting back when the African Nations squads are announced knowing that the chances of Etuhu being called up are very slim. The midfielder has never respresnted his country and was omitted from the recent Nigeria squad for a friendly. In the unlikely event that Etuhu is selected Keane will certainly have to look for a replacement for one of his first-choice midfielders, meaning we can expect more moaning from Keane over attracting players.
Tottenham
Missing Men: Didier Zokora (Ivory Coast), Benoit Assou-Ekotto (Cameroon) and Hossam Ghaly (Egypt)
Tottenham's African trio have hardly featured for them this season with only Zokora making regular appearances. Having said that, none of them have played for their respective nations this season and Spurs could be fortunate enough to avoid the dreaded call-up. Either way Juande Ramos might not care as rumours continue to circulate of the so-called 'Ramos Revolution'. You never know, there might not be any eligible players left at White Hart Lane when Ramos is finished.
West Ham
Missing Men: John Pantsil (Ghana) Henri Camara (Senegal)
Despite the fact that between them these two have only notched up eight appearances this season, you should still expect West Ham to be linked with another defender and striker just in case both Pantsil and Camara are called away. Not that the Hammers would have kept their noses out of the transfer market in January anyway. Like a lot of other African players these two have failed to turn out for their country this season, but it wouldn't come as a shock if they were selected, as the pair have 77 international caps between them.
Wigan
Missing Men: Julius Aghahowa (Nigeria), Salomon Olembe (Cameroon)
Despite Wigan's desperate situation, not many Latics will shed a tear if Aghahowa or Olembe get the call-up. Aghahowa has been largely disappointing since his £2.1million move to Wigan last year, making just 15 largely substiture appearances, and has yet to score. As for Olembe, he has been virtually non-existent this season, playing just once. That isn't really the form that would usually get you a call-up to your national side, although Paul Robinson still manages it. But don't be taken aback if they are included in the final squad - they both have a great deal of international experience between them. Whoever the Wigan manager is they may be searching for a quick fix solution to the two departures.
Chris Rivers
i forgot Ballack is still a Chelsea player
