By Spy Uganda
Despite a mountain of uncertainty and having been postponed twice previously, the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations is now finally in sight, with over 30 Premier League players set to miss several weeks of the season as they head to Cameroon.
Arsenal, Leicester City and Watford are each set to lose a league-high four players.
Liverpool will lose three – including forwards Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane – as will Crystal Palace.
Chelsea are going to be without keeper Edouard Mendy, who could miss the Fifa Club World Cup and league games against Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham, among others.
Leeds, Newcastle, Norwich and Tottenham are the only clubs not to lose anybody.
With the tournament set to begin on Sunday, 9 January, players can remain at their clubs until 3 January and return to England the day after their teams are knocked out. The final and third-place play-off is on Sunday, 6 February.
However, many clubs are currently negotiating with various national teams to try to delay the date they have to release their players.
Arsenal(4)
Thomas Partey (Ghana), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon), Nicolas Pepe (Ivory Coast), Mohamed Elneny (Egypt).
Leicester City (4)
Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi (both Nigeria), Daniel Amartey (Ghana), Nampalys Mendy (Senegal).
Watford (4)
Ismaila Sarr (Senegal), William Troost-Ekong (both Nigeria), Adam Masina, Imran Louza (both Morocco).
Crystal Palace (3)
Cheikhou Kouyate (Senegal), Jordan Ayew (Ghana), Wilfried Zaha (Ivory Coast).
Liverpool (3)
Naby Keita (Guinea), Mohamed Salah (Egypt), Sadio Mane (Senegal)
Aston Villa (2)
Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso), Trezeguet (Egypt)
Wolverhampton Wanderers (2)
Willy Boly (Ivory Coast)*, Romain Saiss (Morocco).
Brentford (1)
Frank Onyeka (Nigeria).
Brighton & Hove Albion (1)
Yves Bissouma (Mali)
Burnley (1)
Maxwel Cornet (Ivory Coast)
Chelsea (1)
Edouard Mendy (Senegal)
Everton (1)
Alex Iwobi (Nigeria).
Manchester City (1)
Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)
Manchester United (1)
Eric Bailly (Ivory Coast).
Southampton (1)
Moussa Djenepo (Mali).
West Ham United (1)
Said Benrahma (Algeria).
