AFCON 2025: Full List of Premier League Clubs Set to Lose Star Players as Africa Cup of Nations Begins
The Africa Cup of Nations is back and Premier League managers are already counting the cost. With AFCON 2025 kicking off in Morocco this weekend, several top-flight sides are about to lose key men at a brutal point in the season, just as fixtures pile up and league positions tighten.
Sunderland could be hit harder than anyone. The newly-promoted side has been one of the stories of the campaign but their momentum is under threat after SIX players was called up. Noah Sadiki, Arthur Masuaku, Reinildo Mandava, Bertrand Traore, Chemsdine Talbi and Habib Diarra will all be heading off, leaving Tony Mowbray light in key areas.
Sadiki, dubbed the “Mini Kante” inside the Stadium of Light, has barely missed a minute and his energy will be tough to replace. He joins DR Congo along with Masuaku, while Mandava’s departure for Mozambique removes a defender who has started most of their league games. Traore had only just opened his Sunderland account, Talbi has been in and out the side, and Diarra – their record buy – is still recovering from groin surgery anyway. Even so, it’s a big chunk of the squad gone in one hit.
Burnley are sweating too. Axel Tuanzebe has been a mainstay at the back before injury and now he’s off with DR Congo. Lyle Foster (South Africa) and Hannibal Mejbri (Tunisia) add to Scott Parker’s problems as Burnley scrap for survival. Depth is thin and points are precious, and this run could define their season.
Fulham’s attack will look very different without Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze, both called up by Nigeria. Between them they account for over a third of Fulham’s league goals and six assists. At the back, Calvin Bassey has played every league match and his absence leaves Marco Silva short of options at centre-half. That spine being pulled out is bad timing, no doubt.
Manchester United also take a hit. Bryan Mbeumo, their top scorer with eight goals, heads off with Cameroon at a time when goals has been hard to come by elsewhere. Amad, named in Ivory Coast’s squad, is one of the few players offering spark and invention, while Noussair Mazraoui joins hosts Morocco and was just settling into Ruben Amorim’s back three. United are chasing top four and this could slow them down.
Elsewhere, Brentford lose Dango Ouattara to Burkina Faso, though Igor Thiago is carrying the goal threat now. Frank Onyeka has joined Nigeria but hasn’t played much. Everton, meanwhile, say goodbye to Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye after Senegal came calling. Ndiaye is joint-top scorer and Gueye anchors the midfield, even if he recently saw red after squaring up to his own team-mate.
AFCON always tests Premier League squads and this year is no different. With league positions, Europe and relegation all on the line, January could swing seasons one way or another. When these players return, trophies may be won — but back home, damage might already be done.