Top 5 Premier League players who will be missing this weekend due to quarantine rules

After what seemed like an excruciatingly long two weeks, the Premier League is finally back again this weekend. The competition has some enticing fixtures lined up this Saturday and Sunday.

However, not every club will be at full strength during the upcoming matchday. Due to COVID-19 regulations in the UK, players who participated in the South American qualifiers on Thursday cannot play this Gameweek

Some of these stars were supposed to kick off their club games just over 35 hours on from their international games. Brazil and Argentina are some of the sides that have refused to let their players return early. Meanwhile, Uruguay's Edinson Cavani also had just 37.5 hours between his international and domestic games.

A lot of big stars will, therefore, be missing in action this Premier League weekend. On that note, here are the top five:

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#5 Fred (Manchester United)

Fred will miss only his second Premier League game of the season for the Red Devils.

While Edinson Cavani is also set to remain absent for Manchester United this weekend, his appearances have mostly come off the bench. Fred, meanwhile, has featured regularly in the starting XI.

In fact, he has missed only one Premier League game this season, having got on the scoresheet on the opening day.

Without him, it won't be easy for the Red Devils. But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer might play Paul Pogba in Fred's place alongside Scott McTominay at the centre of the pitch in his usual 4-2-3-1.

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#4 Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City)

The Brazilian's fine run of form in the Premier League will come to a halt because of this enforced absence.

There was a lot of uncertainty surrounding Gabriel Jesus' future at the club as Manchester City sought to revamp their attack following Sergio Aguero's exit.

However, Jesus has surpassed expectations with a series of fine performances for the reigning Premier League champions. Playing on the right, he has become crucial to breaking down opposition defences.

In nine games this season across competitions, Jesus has made four assists, the most in the squad, whilst also chipping in with three goals. But his absence means Riyadh Mahrez might come into his place as a like-for-like replacement this Premier League weekend.

#3 Alisson (Liverpool)

The Liverpool custodian has four clean sheets in the Premier League this season.

A selection headache for Liverpool this Premier League weekend will be in goal, as Alisson will have to sit out their trip to Watford. That means either Adrian or the 22-year-old Caoimhin Kelleher could get a chance to start on Sunday.

While the Spaniard is going to be the most likely choice, as he has been the no. 2, Kelleher's steady rise in recent times cannot be ignored, though.

He has developed a reputation for reliability and growing in prominence behind the scenes at Anfield.

Either way, Jurgen Klopp has a tough call to make. Liverpool visit the Hornets for the first time since their infamous 3-0 defeat in March last year, which ended their 'invincibles' hopes.

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#2 Thiago Silva (Chelsea)

Silva's absence will force Chelsea into a few defensive changes.

Even in the twilight of his career, the 37-year-old Thiago Silva continues to be of importance to club and country. So it's a no-brainer that the centre-back will be a huge miss for Chelsea this Premier League weekend, when the league leaders take on the high-flying Brentford away from home.

Silva played a key role in the Blues' Champions League success last season, so the Premier League leaders extended his stay at the club by another year. Now, in the 2021-22 season too, Silva has played a key role in Chelsea keeping the joint-best defensive record this season, conceding only twice.

His absence means Thomas Tuchel might be prompted to revert to a back-four. Trevoh Chalobah and Antonio Rudiger, the two centre-backs, could be flanked by Cesar Azpilicueta on the right and Ben Chilwell on the left.

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#1 Ederson Moraes (Manchester City)

Ederson is an indispensable figure for the Sky Blues.

Alisson isn't the only Brazilian goalkeeper who'll be missing in action in the Premier League this weekend. His compatriot from Manchester City, Ederson, will also have to sit out due to the quarantine rules.

Ederson played for the entirety of Brazil's game against Uruguay on Thursday night. While he saw little action at his end of the pitch, the Sky Blues custodian was denied a clean sheet by Luis Suarez, who swerved an incredible free-kick beyond him.

Nevertheless, it was a good international week for Ederson, continuing from his good form in the Premier League this season. He leads the English top flight with five clean sheets this campaign. His side are only facing a relegation-battling Burnley on home turf this weekend, So the 28-year-old goalkeeper may not really be missed by City.