The Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on Sunday.
Premier League sides have released their players for the competition. Teams will lose star players, but the absence of first-team regulars presents fringe stars with the chance to consolidate a starting spot.
10 players ready to seize their chance
Here, we run through 10 who’ll look to use AFCON to their advantage.
Tyler Dibling – Everton
Everton will miss Iliman Ndiaye over the coming weeks. The winger has been a revelation on Merseyside since arriving from Marseille last summer. This season alone, Ndiaye ranks fourth for completed take ons (34) and second for ball recoveries of outfield players (95). Given Senegal’s strength, the Lions of Teranga are one of the pre-AFCON favourites.
Nevertheless, Ndiaye’s absence presents Tyler Dibling with a much-welcomed chance to nail down a regular spot. Dibling joined from Southampton for a reported £35m but has struggled for action. Indeed, he’s registered just 83 minutes of game time across seven league outings. That right wing is certainly up for grabs over the festive period.
Tim Iroegbunam – Everton
Dibling isn’t the only Everton player who stands to benefit from the Africa Cup of Nations. With Idrissa Gueye joining Ndiaye in the Senegal squad, Tim Iroegbunam is another expected to see his game time increase over the winter. The 22-year-old hasn’t exactly struggled for minutes. He’s started six league games, while three of his last five Premier League outings have been from the outset.
However, as the best like-for-like replacement for a ball-winner like Gueye in midfield, David Moyes is expected to call upon Iroegbunam regularly in the coming weeks. While not as refined as Gueye on the ball, Iroegbunam is outperforming the experienced midfielder for both tackles (3.3 to 2.7) and ground duels won per 90 (5.4 to 4) in the Premier League this season.
Chris Rigg – Sunderland
Sunderland are going to be one of the teams hit hardest by the Africa Cup of Nations. Summer signings Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra are among those called up for international duty in Morocco. That means Regis Le Bris needs to utilise his full squad as the Black Cats look to maintain their commendable start to life back in the Premier League.
It stands to reason, then, that Chris Rigg has the opportunity to build upon his three league starts. The talented teenager hasn’t featured for Sunderland since the 2-1 win over Chelsea back in October. In that time, the 18-year-old has still made matchday squad, so isn’t completely out of favour with Le Bris. Now, Rigg is handed the chance to play alongside Granit Xhaka in the middle of the park for Sunderland.
Douglas Luiz – Nottingham Forest
Sean Dyche has favoured a midfield partnership of Ibrahim Sangare and Elliot Anderson in his 4-2-3-1 setup following his Nottingham Forest appointment. The former’s AFCON call up for Ivory Coast threatens to derail Dyche’s hard work in his opening weeks at the City Ground.
Fortunately, Dyche has midfield options to utilise. Douglas Luiz is one of those who looks set to benefit from Sangare’s temporary exit. Luiz has made just four league starts since his arrival on loan from Juventus earlier in the year. Anderson’s rise to prominence combined with Sangare’s flying form means the Brazilian’s action has been limited. Now, though, the former Aston Villa man can strike up an understanding with Anderson and prove himself to the Forest faithful.
Lucas Bergvall – Tottenham
Tottenham will be without Pape Sarr and Yves Bissouma for the coming weeks due to their respective AFCON participation. The absence of the former limits Thomas Frank’s midfield options. That said, Sarr’s Senegal call up should benefit Lucas Bergvall. The Swede has been used sparingly by Thomas Frank this season.
However, the 19-year-old is one of the hottest midfield prospects in Europe. When used to his full potential, he’s an energetic presence in the middle of the park. Able to carry the ball forward with ease, Bergvall can go some way to consolidating a regular spot on the Spurs midfield during Sarr’s stint with Senegal in Morocco.
Kevin – Fulham
Fulham weren’t overly active in the summer window. They did, though, add to the frontline with the signing of Brazilian winger Kevin. The former Shakhtar man has been forced to play second fiddle to Alex Iwobi as he adjusts to the rigours of English football. However, Kevin may be thrown in at the deep end with AFCON right around the corner.
With Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze both called up for Nigeria, Marco Silva is expected to turn to Kevin on the left flank over the coming weeks. Despite registering only 419 minutes of Premier League action, the 22-year-old is averaging five successful take ons per 90, and his drive down the left could prove Fulham’s secret weapon while Iwobi and Chukwueze shine for the Super Eagles.
Mason Mount – Man Utd
With both Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo departing for Cameroon and Ivory Coast, respectively, now is the time for Mason Mount to step up for Manchester United. Mount has featured fairly regularly for United this season, starting eight times in the Premier League.
Ruben Amorim is now expected to turn to Mount to help shoulder the attacking burden in the absence of both Mbeumo and Amad. With three goals to his name, this season is the 26-year-old’s most prolific since the 2022-23 campaign at Chelsea. The England international now has a great opportunity to add to the haul.
Federico Chiesa – Liverpool
Mohamed Salah may have played his final game for Liverpool. The Egyptian returned to the Reds squad for Saturday’s 2-0 win over Brighton, coming off the bench to provide the assist for Hugo Ekitike’s second. However, Salah looks to have burned his bridges with the Premier League champions.
And having jetted off to link up with the Egypt squad earlier this week, Salah’s time at Liverpool could be ending earlier than many expected. What that does mean, however, is that Federico Chiesa may become a more prominent figure in the Reds side, at least until Liverpool dip into the market. Injuries haven’t help the Italian during his time on Merseyside. And yet, he’s proven a handy option for Arne Slot when needs must.
Will Hughes – Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace are robbed of a key attacking player for the Africa Cup of Nations. Ismaila Sarr’s absence is a huge blow for the Eagles, with the 27-year-old an important player for Oliver Glasner. Sarr’s international commitments should see Daichi Kamada pushed forward into one of the two supporting roles.
As such, Will Hughes can be expected to link back up with Adam Wharton in the middle of the park. Hughes is still a regular feature for Palace, though eight of his 13 league outings have come from the bench. Now, the experienced midfielder’s return to the starting XI enables Kamada to push on alongside Yeremy Pino behind striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Jack Hinshelwood – Brighton
It’s fair to say that Carlos Baleba has endured a sub-par season for Brighton. Continued speculation linking the 21-year-old with a move to Manchester United has evidently impacted the youngster. The hope, then, is that time out of the Premier League spotlight will benefit Baleba, who was rightly called up by Cameroon.
As such, youngster Jack Hinshelwood should feel confident about adding to his three league starts during Baleba’s time in Morocco. The 20-year-old was a surprise starter alongside Baleba at Liverpool at the weekend. For the foreseeable future, however, Hinshelwood looks set to partner Yasin Ayari at the base of the midfield.
