Eight European clubs that will be most affected by Copa America- 2015

The ongoing Copa America tournament being held in Chile has seen several fiercely contested matches. The competition which kickstarted on the 11th of June has attracted thousands of avid football lovers. Latin American nations are known for their never-say-die spirit and attitude and it is for this very reason that fans flock to the stadiums enthusiastically.The galaxy of stars on offer is an added bonus to the prestigious tournament. The competition which saw title favourites Argentina being held to a 2-2 draw by Paraguay and Brazil being defeated by Colombia 1-0 has been a story of surprising twists, and has thus enhanced its unpredictable nature.The Copa, poised to witness a usurping of Uruguay’s title in 2011, sees hosts Chile, Peru, Argentina and Paraguay as this year’s semifinalists. With one among these four nations set to become champions the stakes are at an all-time high. This edition sees a lot of European clubs whose players are serving their nations in Chile. Here is a look at the clubs that will be most affected.

#1 Manchester United

The Red Devils, as they are popularly referred to, Manchester United has historically had players from different nations adorning the famous red jersey. Besides boasting of a huge fan base the world over, the English club is also one of the wealthiest contemporary teams.

Owned by the Glazers from America, the club managed by the Dutchman Louis Van Gaal, had signed certain big money players from the South American continent last season, ending the drought of Latin American talent in the red half of Manchester. With Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez not being picked in the Mexican national side and the Colombian Radamel Falcao not returning for a permanent move, the club’s Copa America representation is largely Argentine.

Angel Di Maria and Marcos Rojo have been regularly featured in the starting XI for Argentina by coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino and with the team having found a place in the last four phase and still in title contention, the duo is bound to return to Manchester with a lot of fatigue.

Both Rojo and Di Maria could be key cogs in Louis van Gaal’s United machine next season. He will have to ponder deep and hard about their fitness and return for the club’s pre-season tour.

#2 Chelsea

The Londoners were crowned the champions and deservingly so in the last season of the Barclays Premier League. Chelsea, managed by the shrewd tactician Jose Mourinho, was able to display an enviable defensive and attacking machinery throughout the campaign which saw them tackle their domestic problems with consummate ease.

The way in which they steamrollered opponents, especially in the initial phase of the league, is highly laudable, and the ruthlessness was key in they warding off the ensuing threats of holders Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United.

The Blues’ representation in the ongoing Copa America included a trio; that of Willian, Filipe Luis and Juan Cuadrado. Willian and Filipe Luis donned the Brazilian yellow and Cuadrado wore the yellow of Colombia. They even faced off against each other in the high-octane encounter which ultimately resulted in Colombia thwarting Brazilian hopes.

Filipe Luis took the left-back mantle from the injured Marcelo who was ruled out of the Copa and performed well to his credit. Willian was an epitome of consistency while Cuadrado outshone James Rodriguez in the Colombian attack.

However, the high intensity that they had to endure does not bode well for Chelsea in its pre-season, especially given that Jose Mourinho does not favour too much rotation, he might opt to give them a lengthened break before they return to full training.

#3 Atletico de Madrid

Atletico de Madrid has had a largely forgettable 2014-15 season, finishing third in the Spanish La Liga and being beaten in the UEFA Champions League and Copa del Rey by fiercest enemies Real Madrid and title rivals FC Barcelona respectively.

The club which had a tremendous 2013-14 season could match neither the high expectations of the rejuvenated fans nor the realistic dreams of manager Diego Simeone. As it does not enjoy the similarly rich coffers of its city rivals it will have to contend with the current crop of players. Its mainstay is its rigid and seemingly impenetrable defence, the central fulcrum of which is Joao Miranda.

He represents Brazil in the ongoing Copa America tournament, and has replaced David Luiz efficiently. His defensive aides Jose Maria Gimenez and Diego Godin were key in the defending champion Uruguay’s hopes too.

The fourth Copa player in the Atletico side is Raul Jimenez, the Mexico striker. these four were regular players in their nation’s starting elevens and, hence, will return tired to the Spanish capital.

#4 Fiorentina

The side from the city of Florence in Italy found itself finishing fourth in the recently concluded Serie A championship behind winners Juventus, Roma and Lazio, managing to hold off Napoli’s threat by a hair’s margin of one point.

Known as the ‘Viola’ for their distinctively vivid purple colours, the club has managed to participate in European competitions frequently, albeit not having an array of star players in their side. The club has, over the years, garnered widespread attention owing to their firebrand no-fear footballing style.

Fiorentina, too has a set of players who are representing their countries in the Copa America 2015. The Chilean midfield duo of Matías Fernandez and David Pizarro are from Fiorentina, and have been vital so far in the host nation’s preparations. The third player in line is the Peruvian player, Juan Manuel Vargas who has also saw his team through to the semifinals.

They also have goalkeeper Norberto Neto who travelled with the brazil squad but did not feature in their disappointing campaign.

With three of the four, still vying for the title, the club will have to ensure that their fitness team starts swinging the right way right from the word go, before the start of the season.

#5 Manchester City

The blue half of Manchester has seen a meteoric rise in its popularity and fan following after it wrested the domestic trophy twice from its much-fancied rivals from the red half. With the club finishing trophyless last season the Abu Dhabi Sheikh-owned management will be looking for new recruits from across the globe.

The Citizens pride themselves for their inherent attacking prowess stemming from effective midfield coordination, but have fallen foul of a similar display surprisingly, in UEFA Champions League editions across the years.

Its manager from Chile, Manuel Pellegrini, has at his disposal, a vast array of talent, be it in departments of offence or defence.

Of this few of them have found their places in the national squads for Copa America. The Argentine duo of Pablo Zabaleta and Sergio ‘Kun’ Aguero have been instrumental so far in Argentina’s progress in the tournament, with them stringing together the goal against holders Uruguay in the group stage.

Martin Demichelis has not been regularly called upon for his service. While, Fernandinho was consistent in midfield for Brazil. With these players getting a lot of game time, Manchester City has its work cut out as far as the fitness regime is concerned, leading up to its pre-season campaign.

#6 Juventus

The Bianconeri enjoyed a stupendously successful 2014-15 season with the club winning a deserving domestic double (Serie A and Coppa Italia). The club was, at one stage, even dreamt of a historic treble, but lost out to FC Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League final in Berlin by 3 goals to 1.

The men from Turin have been champions of Italy for four successive seasons now, and have been largely consistent in all departments off late. The rich vein of form that saw it almost catapulting to the peak of European football is in dire danger of dying out, as some of their players have been actively involved for their respective nations’ in the Copa.

Four such players will impact them the most. Roberto Pereyra has not been a regular in the Argentine final XI. Whereas, Arturo Vidal has been tremendous so far for Chile and almost the same can be said about Carlos Tevez who slammed home the winning penalty in the sudden death against Colombia, he however will be moving away from the Old lady and the departure of the team’ s top scorer this campaign will affect them nonetheless.

Mauricio Isla was the scorer for Chile in their quarterfinal and his goal saw the holders Uruguay crashing out of the tournament. It is likely that Juventus will be affected with respect to its pre-season arrangements owing to these players’ fatigue.

#7 FC Barcelona

The 2014-15 season saw Barcelona clinching the La Liga title, the Copa del Rey and last, but definitely not the least, the UEFA Champions League, earning the distinction of the ‘Treble’. Right from the start of the season the Catalan club impressed one and all with its brilliantly quick and efficient footballing style, masterminded by the able tactician that is Luis Enrique.

The men in blue and red stripes were extremely convincing in their performances throughout the season and duly garnered plaudits from across all quarters of football lovers. The Spanish side has sent a few of its players to the ongoing Copa America tournament and might be affected due to its demanding nature.

Dani Alves and Javier Mascherano played for Brazil and Argentina respectively, with the latter being a pillar of strength for Tata Martino’s side. Claudio Bravo, their keeper, has been more than impressive for Chile.

Neymar Jr. captained Brazil and found himself on the referee’s black book after being suspended for four matches for his red card against Colombia, which ruled him out of the tournament.

Lionel Messi took on the responsibility as Argentina skipper and has succeeded in steering his side through to the semifinals. FC Barcelona, inevitably, will have to bear the brunt of all these players returning energy sapped for next season.

#8 Paris St. Germain

The club from the French capital has had a largely successful campaign in 2014-15 owing to its triumphs in the Ligue 1, Coupe de France and Coupe de La Ligue. The team, which has the famed Parc des Princes as its home stadium, has been enthralling and endearing viewers to its side owing to a host of star signings in the recent past.

PSG has at its behest, a lot of South American representation donning the blue and red. The same was visible in this year’s Copa America when the respective nations announced their squads. No less than the club’s six players were called up for national duty.

The defensive trio of Thiago Silva, David Luiz and Marquinhos found themselves in Carlos Dunga’s Brazilian team sheet too. Silva was vice captain and he scored in the 2-1 win against Venezuela in their last Group encounter. Ezequiel Lavezzi and Javier Pastore were regular members of the Argentine Copa team and have been

Ezequiel Lavezzi and Javier Pastore were regular members of the Argentine Copa team and have been vital contributors to the team’s progress thus far. Their sixth player was Edinson Cavani who bore the burden of being the lynchpin in attack for Uruguay, with Luis Suarez unable to play.

Perhaps, being fazed by the burden and attention, he was controversially red carded in the quarterfinal against Chile. The club will have to manage its resources well and keep up the fitness levels for the upcoming pre-season, and all these players are key to its preparations.