AFCON 2025: Premier League clubs set to lose key players — Who suffers most?

Premier League clubs are preparing for a familiar disruption as the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) approaches, Soccernet.ng reports.

Super Eagles trio, Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, and Samuel Chukwueze are among several African internationals set to depart for national duty.

The impact will vary from club to club, but for some, AFCON 2025 could significantly shape their season.

Here are Premier League clubs set to lose their players:

Sunderland

No Premier League club faces a bigger AFCON drain than Sunderland, which will see six first-team players depart for the tournament.

Morocco’s Chemsdine Talbi and Senegal’s Habib Diarra are key figures in midfield, while Mozambique defender Reinildo Mandava and Burkina Faso winger Bertrand Traoré, who provide experience and balance at both ends of the pitch, will also be missed.

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The loss of DR Congo duo Arthur Masuaku and Noah Sadiki stretches the squad across multiple positions. Sunderland’s challenge will be maintaining consistency with such a large chunk of their players unavailable.

Manchester United

Manchester United will lose three important players to AFCON, including Ivory Coast winger Amad Diallo, Cameroon forward Bryan Mbeumo and Morocco international Noussair Mazraoui.

Their absence could force tactical reshuffles during a critical phase of the season.

Fulham

Fulham are set to lose all three of their Nigerian internationals. Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and Samuel Chukwueze would give Marco Silva a selection dilemma. So, losing all three at once could disrupt Fulham’s balance on both sides of the ball.

Burnley

Burnley will be without DR Congo defender Axel Tuanzebe, South Africa striker Lyle Foster, and Tunisia midfielder Hannibal Mejbri. Each plays a role in Burnley’s structure. This would undoubtedly make AFCON a testing period for the Clarets.

Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest’s AFCON representation comes in the form of the Ivory Coast duo Ibrahim Sangaré and Willy Boly.

Sangaré’s defensive midfield presence and Boly’s experience at the back are key to Forest's squad, and their absence could expose Forest during a demanding fixture run.

Everton

Everton will miss the Senegal pair of Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye. Their departures remove both energy from the squad.

Brentford

Brentford’s AFCON-bound players include Burkina Faso winger Dango Ouattara and Nigeria midfielder Frank Onyeka.

Manchester City

Manchester City will send Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush and Algerian defender Rayan Aït-Nouri to AFCON. While both players contribute to the squad, rotation options mean Pep Guardiola is well-equipped to absorb their absence.

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham will lose Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissoum. Their absence could force Spurs to alter their midfield structure and reduce their intensity in key matches.

West Ham United

West Ham United will be without DR Congo right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Senegal winger El Hadji Malick Diouf.

Wolves

Wolves will lose Zimbabwe’s Tawanda Chirewa and the Ivory Coast defender Emmanuel Agbadou. Their absence reduces squad depth during a congested period, while neither may be an undisputed starter.

Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton will be represented by Cameroonian midfielder Carlos Baleba, whose ball-carrying and physical presence have grown in importance.

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace’s AFCON hopes rest on Senegal winger Ismaïla Sarr. One of Palace’s main attacking threats, his skills will be difficult to replace during his time away.

Liverpool

Mohamed Salah will also be heading to AFCON 2025 with Egypt, as confirmed in the official squads. He'll miss several Liverpool matches starting late December.

Who will miss AFCON the most?

Sunderland appear the most vulnerable to AFCON disruption, losing six players across all areas of the pitch.

Tottenham and Everton also face significant challenges, particularly in midfield, where the loss of Sarr, Bissouma, and Gueye could weaken their core. Fulham’s simultaneous loss of three Nigerian internationals may also prove costly.

Idrissa Gana Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye will report to Senegal for AFCON 2025 on Monday 15 December.

They will therefore both be available for our game at Chelsea on Saturday 13 December. pic.twitter.com/e2GiGWNkHP

— Everton (@Everton) December 3, 2025

While clubs like Manchester City have the depth to cope, others will need careful rotation to survive the AFCON window.