{"id":1420003,"date":"2025-12-18T14:28:25","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T14:28:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&#038;p=1420003"},"modified":"2025-12-18T14:35:24","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T14:35:24","slug":"tactical-analysis-afcon-10-premier-league-stars","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-afcon-10-premier-league-stars\/","title":{"rendered":"AFCON analysis: 10 Premier League players ready to seize their chance as stars head to Morocco"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on Sunday.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/premier-league\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Premier League<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>10 players ready to seize their chance<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-tyler-dibling-everton\" data-level=\"3\">Tyler Dibling \u2013 Everton<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-tim-iroegbunam-everton\" data-level=\"3\">Tim Iroegbunam \u2013 Everton<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-chris-rigg-sunderland\" data-level=\"3\">Chris Rigg \u2013 Sunderland<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-douglas-luiz-nottingham-forest\" data-level=\"3\">Douglas Luiz \u2013 Nottingham Forest<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-lucas-bergvall-tottenham\" data-level=\"3\">Lucas Bergvall \u2013 Tottenham<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-kevin-fulham\" data-level=\"3\">Kevin \u2013 Fulham<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-mason-mount-man-utd\" data-level=\"3\">Mason Mount \u2013 Man Utd<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-federico-chiesa-liverpool\" data-level=\"3\">Federico Chiesa \u2013 Liverpool<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-will-hughes-crystal-palace\" data-level=\"3\">Will Hughes \u2013 Crystal Palace<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-jack-hinshelwood-brighton\" data-level=\"3\">Jack Hinshelwood \u2013 Brighton<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here, we run through 10 who\u2019ll look to use AFCON to their advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tyler-dibling-everton\">Tyler Dibling \u2013 Everton<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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\u2019s strength, the Lions of Teranga are one of the pre-AFCON favourites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nevertheless, Ndiaye\u2019s absence presents Tyler Dibling with a much-welcomed chance to nail down a regular spot. Dibling joined from Southampton for a reported \u00a335m but has struggled for action. Indeed, he\u2019s registered just 83 minutes of game time across seven league outings. That right wing is certainly up for grabs over the festive period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tim-iroegbunam-everton\">Tim Iroegbunam \u2013 Everton<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dibling isn\u2019t 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\u2019t exactly struggled for minutes. He\u2019s started six league games, while three of his last five Premier League outings have been from the outset.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class='vccm vccm-compare'data-compare=\"J_EquEy-HLAxk1zMP9tZz\" data-show-sponsor=\"false\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-chris-rigg-sunderland\">Chris Rigg \u2013 Sunderland<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It stands to reason, then, that Chris Rigg has the opportunity to build upon his three league starts. The talented teenager hasn\u2019t 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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-douglas-luiz-nottingham-forest\">Douglas Luiz \u2013 Nottingham Forest<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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\u2019s AFCON call up for Ivory Coast threatens to derail Dyche\u2019s hard work in his opening weeks at the City Ground.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class='vccm vccm-compare'data-compare=\"XUogBVzkHLDDS_aqx1jyf\" data-show-sponsor=\"false\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fortunately, Dyche has midfield options to utilise. Douglas Luiz is one of those who looks set to benefit from Sangare\u2019s temporary exit. Luiz has made just four league starts since his arrival on loan from Juventus earlier in the year. Anderson\u2019s rise to prominence combined with Sangare\u2019s flying form means the Brazilian\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-lucas-bergvall-tottenham\">Lucas Bergvall \u2013 Tottenham<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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\u2019s midfield options. That said, Sarr\u2019s Senegal call up should benefit Lucas Bergvall. The Swede has been used sparingly by Thomas Frank this season.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class='vccm vccm-compare'data-compare=\"SfIzN-eYXG64ho0OWkrfm\" data-show-sponsor=\"false\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, the 19-year-old is one of the hottest midfield prospects in Europe. When used to his full potential, he\u2019s 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\u2019s stint with Senegal in Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-kevin-fulham\">Kevin \u2013 Fulham<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fulham weren\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class='vccm vccm-compare'data-compare=\"3_3qsSkUDNcgPN8FdeZiT\" data-show-sponsor=\"false\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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\u2019s secret weapon while Iwobi and Chukwueze shine for the Super Eagles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-mason-mount-man-utd\">Mason Mount \u2013 Man Utd<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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&#8217;s most prolific since the 2022-23 campaign at Chelsea. The England international now has a great opportunity to add to the haul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-federico-chiesa-liverpool\">Federico Chiesa \u2013 Liverpool<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mohamed Salah may have played his final game for Liverpool. The Egyptian returned to the Reds squad for Saturday\u2019s 2-0 win over Brighton, coming off the bench to provide the assist for Hugo Ekitike\u2019s second. However, Salah looks to have burned his bridges with the Premier League champions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And having jetted off to link up with the Egypt squad earlier this week, Salah\u2019s 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\u2019t help the Italian during his time on Merseyside. And yet, he\u2019s proven a handy option for Arne Slot when needs must.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-will-hughes-crystal-palace\">Will Hughes \u2013 Crystal Palace<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Crystal Palace are robbed of a key attacking player for the Africa Cup of Nations. Ismaila Sarr\u2019s absence is a huge blow for the Eagles, with the 27-year-old an important player for Oliver Glasner. Sarr\u2019s international commitments should see Daichi Kamada pushed forward into one of the two supporting roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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\u2019s return to the starting XI enables Kamada to push on alongside Yeremy Pino behind striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-jack-hinshelwood-brighton\">Jack Hinshelwood \u2013 Brighton<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As such, youngster Jack Hinshelwood should feel confident about adding to his three league starts during Baleba&#8217;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.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/\"><strong>Latest football news<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football betting tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best betting sites<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/best-free-bet-offers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best free bet offers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/accumulator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football accumulator tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\n\n\n    <div class=\"sq-articles-list\">\n          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Liverpool stats and analysis: Reds strike late to tarnish promising Jaissle debut\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-newcastle-vs-liverpool-23-08-26\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Newcastle vs Liverpool stats and analysis: Reds strike late to tarnish promising Jaissle debut                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/chris-smith\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Chris Jones                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-man-city-vs-bournemouth-23-08-26\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/23161508\/3FB8WK5-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Man City vs Bournemouth stats and analysis: Cherki changes the game to save Maresca blushes\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-man-city-vs-bournemouth-23-08-26\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Man City vs Bournemouth stats and analysis: Cherki changes the game to spare Maresca blushes                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/chris-smith\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Chris Jones                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-how-arsenal-are-turning-up-set-piece-routines\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/22163332\/Arteta220826_ID3FAX7G5-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-how-arsenal-are-turning-up-set-piece-routines\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    How Arsenal are turning it up a notch with their set-piece routines                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/guilhermemirra\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Guilherme Mirra                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">3 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-brentford-vs-tottenham-22-06-26\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/22195521\/BrentfordTottenham220826_ID3FB4K9F-scaled-e1787424955902-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-brentford-vs-tottenham-22-06-26\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Brentford vs Tottenham stats and analysis: How Bees imposed themselves in dominant win over Spurs                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/guilhermemirra\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Guilherme Mirra                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">3 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-hull-city-vs-man-united-22-08-26\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/22151813\/HullUnited220826_ID3FB2DYK-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-hull-city-vs-man-united-22-08-26\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Hull City vs Man United stats and analysis: How Tigers paved the way for shock win over Red Devils                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/guilhermemirra\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Guilherme Mirra                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">3 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/jamie-vardy-next-club-2026-drwss\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/21181833\/VardyCremonese210826_ID3E38XP4-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/jamie-vardy-next-club-2026-drwss\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Dream, realistic, wildcard, Squawka Suggests: Where could Jamie Vardy go next?                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/guilhermemirra\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Guilherme Mirra                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">4 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-arsenal-vs-coventry-city-21-08-26\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/21215146\/ArsenalCoventry210826_ID3FAWX1T-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-arsenal-vs-coventry-city-21-08-26\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Arsenal vs Coventry City stats and analysis: How Gunners handed Sky Blues &#8216;welcome to the Premier League&#8217; moment                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/guilhermemirra\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Guilherme Mirra                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">4 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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. Here, we run through 10 who\u2019ll look to use AFCON to their advantage. Tyler&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3564,"featured_media":1420004,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"AFCON 2025 could reshape Premier League line-ups, with fringe players handed big chances as stars depart for international duty in Morocco.","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"features-category":[],"squawka-category":[],"class_list":["post-1420003","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.0 (Yoast SEO v28.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>AFCON analysis: 10 Premier League players ready to seize their chance as stars head to Morocco | Squawka | EN<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"AFCON 2025 could reshape Premier League line-ups, with fringe players handed big chances as stars depart for international duty in Morocco.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-afcon-10-premier-league-stars\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"AFCON analysis: 10 Premier League players ready to seize their chance as stars head to Morocco\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"AFCON 2025 could reshape Premier League line-ups, with fringe players handed big chances as stars depart for international duty in Morocco.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-afcon-10-premier-league-stars\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Squawka | EN\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SquawkaFootballNews\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-12-18T14:35:24+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/18141728\/FedericoChiesa18122025_3D251K4-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1707\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@squawka\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" 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