With the Premier League’s AFCON 2023 stars already heading off to link up with their national sides, it’s time for others to step up in their absence.
Huge names such as Mohamed Salah and Andre Onana will be missing for the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United for at least the rest of January.
This year’s Africa Cup Of Nations gets underway on 13 January, with the final not until 11 February. As a result, managers at both ends of the Premier League will need to utilise players who have featured less regularly so far this season.
But with some clubs losing up to six players during AFCON 2023, it’s a great opportunity for fringe players to make their mark.
With that in mind, we’ve picked out some of the biggest names headed to AFCON, and lined up their potential replacements for the duration of the tournament.
Who Will Replace Mohamed Salah During AFCON?
Probably the most irreplaceable man in Jurgen Klopp’s squad, Mo Salah leaves a gaping hole in the Anfield attack. With 14 goals and eight assists in his 20 Premier League games so far, Salah is one of the most productive players in the country.
But with his Egypt side beaten finalists in the last AFCON tournament, there’s a strong chance he could be away for the entire competition once more.
There are few in world football who can replace Salah’s attacking threat, but Cody Gakpo seems most likely to try for Liverpool.
Dutch international Gakpo joined from boyhood club PSV Eindhoven last January. He’s since played 52 times for Liverpool in all competitions, scoring 15 goals.
But with half of his 18 Premier League appearances this season coming from the bench, Salah’s unavailability is the perfect opportunity for him to step up into a starting role.
At 24, Gakpo has 21 senior international caps for the Netherlands, scoring nine goals. If ever there was a time for him to stake his claim as Salah’s heir apparent, it’s now.
How Will Manchester United Replace Onana?
Manchester United keeper Onana hasn’t had the easiest time since joining from Serie A side Inter Milan in the summer. But with 20 league starts in goal for Eric Ten Hag this season, he’s firmly number one at Old Trafford.
Although his six clean sheets from 20 games isn’t the best record, replacing him may be challenging. United have a couple of options to fill in for Onana, but Altay Bayındır seems most likely.
The 25-year-old Turkish international is yet to make his debut for United since arriving from Fenerbahce, but is still Eric Ten Hag’s best bet.
His only other option in goal is 37-year-old veteran, Tom Heaton. Heaton himself has played just four times for the club since joining in 2021.
It therefore seems far more likely Ten Hag will opt for Bayındır.
Can West Ham Cope Without Kudus?
Another huge loss for his club is West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus. The 23-year-old has been a revelation since arriving in East London in the summer.
He joined from Eredivisie side Ajax and has already scored nine goals in 24 appearances for the club. The Ghana international has also scored nine for his country to date, in 26 senior caps.
But in his absence, it’s likely he’ll be replaced by a man who himself missed out on AFCON 2023 selection.
Saïd Benrahma has struggled for game time under David Moyes, but started against Brighton with Kudus’ missing. The Algerian winger hasn’t been called up by his national team after starting just five league games this season.
But the 28-year-old played 35 of West Ham’s 38 Premier League games last season, scoring six goals. A great player on his day, Kudus’ unavailability could be the perfect opportunity for Benrahma.
If the Algerian can regain his form, he will be a key man for David Moyes while Kudus is away.
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