Manchester United: Eric Bailly
Since his arrival from Villarreal in the summer, Bailly has cemented his place in Manchester United’s defence and will be a sore miss when he heads off to Ivory Coast. The centre-back was a regular in Ivory Coast’s qualifying campaign and has garnered 14 caps for his country.
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough like Burnley will have no absentees.
Southampton: Sofiane Boufal
New signing Sofiane Boufal could make the Morocco squad after having made an appearance in their qualifying win over Cape Verde earlier this year. The 22-year-old has made just 2 appearances for his nation but he is touted to be one for the future and this could be an opportunity for him to showcase his talent on the world stage.
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Stoke: Wilfried Bony, Ramadan Sobhi, Mame Biram Diouf
The Potters could be short of attacking options as they will have to say goodbye to new signing Wilfried Bony as well as strike partner Mame Biram Diouf. Bony is a regular for Ivory Coast having made 44 appearances for the 2015 winners. Diouf meanwhile will be heading to Gabon to represent Senegal. Diouf has a decent goalscoring record for his country having hit the back of the net 10 times in 37 matches.
They could possibly lose the services of Ramadan Sobhi Ahmed as well if he is called up to the Egyptian national team although that possibility is currently remote.
Sunderland: Lamine Kone, Wahbi Khazri, Didier Ndong, Papy Djilobodji
Sunderland have had a poor start to the new season and an already small squad is set to get even thinner in January with the departures of club record signing Didier Ndong, Lamine Kone, Wahbi Khazri and Papy Djilobodji.
Ndong will be representing hosts Gabon while Kone and Djilobodji are expected to get a call-up from Senegal. Midfielder Khazri will make the Tunisia squad as well to make matters worse for David Moyes.
Swansea
Swansea will lose no players after their only African player in Modou Barrow will not be heading to Gabon. Barrow was a part of Gambia’s squad that failed to qualify for the AFCON.
Tottenham
Tottenham will be only the fourth team to keep all their stars in January. New signing Victor Wanyama will stay put in London after Kenya finished bottom of their group in qualification.
Watford: Brice Djadjedje, Nordin Amrabat, Adlene Gueidoura
Amrabat will be the Hornet’s biggest miss as he is a key figure in the Moroccan national team having made over 20 appearances for them in 5 years. New signing Dja Djedje meanwhile is expected to make the Ivory Coast squad while Algeria’s Guedioura will also be missed.Nigeria’s failure means star striker Odion Ighalo will remain at the club in January.
West Brom: Allan Nyom
West Brom will not be too badly affected with Allan Nyom being the only player to depart. Cameroon right back Nyom has made 14 appearances for the 4-time winners and will definitely be a part of their AFCON squad.
West Ham: Sofiane Feghouli, Diafra Sakho, Andre Ayew, Cheikhou Kouyate
West Ham are another team expected to be badly hit with the losses of 4 of their stars. New signing Feghouli will link up with the Algerian side while Kouyate and Sakho will join Senegal. Club record Signing Andre Ayew will join up with Ghana if he is available after injury.
