International Football

AFCON latest: Which FPL players are called up and when do they leave?

The delayed 2021 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is only a fortnight or so away but the full ramifications for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers are still a bit unclear, even at this late stage.

We know when the tournament proper takes place but how many Gameweeks our FPL assets will miss is still unclear, with clubs battling to delay the departure of their players until the last possible minute.

The tournament squads are still being finalised at the time of writing but with Gameweek 19 fast approaching, we’ll round up what we know so far.

WHEN DOES AFCON 2021 TAKE PLACE?

The tournament proper runs from Sunday 9 January to Sunday 6 February and will be staged in Cameroon.

With 16 nations progressing from the 24-team group stage, the chances of getting some of the big FPL names back early aren’t great; the likes of Egypt, Ghana, Senegal, Ivory Coast and Algeria are among the tournament favourites and will expect to go deep into the knockout rounds.

StageDates
Group stageJan 9-20
Round of 16Jan 23-26
Quarter-finalsJan 29-30
Semi-finalsFeb 2-3
Third place play-off/FinalFeb 6

HOW MANY GAMEWEEKS WILL FPL PLAYERS MISS DUE TO THEIR INVOLEMENT AT AFCON?

On paper, the damage doesn’t look too bad. Thanks to a combination of the FA Cup and a wider January international break, only two Gameweeks are affected while AFCON is on: Gameweeks 22 and 23.

However, with the competing countries requiring and allowed pre-tournament prep time with their players, other Gameweeks could be affected before that.

According to FIFA rules

“Players must be released and start the travel to their representative team no later than Monday morning the week preceding the week when the relevant final competition starts and must be released by the association in the morning of the day after the last match of their team in the tournament.”

With the tournament kicking off on Sunday 9 January, that theoretically would mean that players involved in AFCON will be required to leave their clubs on Monday 27 December.

Gameweeks 20 and 21 could also be affected, then, and possibly even the Newcastle United v Manchester United match in Gameweek 19.

And anyone involved in the final or third-place play-off on Sunday 6 February would surely be doubtful for Gameweek 24, which takes place on Tuesday-Wednesday 8-9 February.

Even at this late stage, there is still some uncertainty over when star names will depart.

Rob Harris reported on Thursday evening that the World Leagues Forum, of which the Premier League is a member, had written to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) saying that their clubs wouldn’t release players for AFCON until January 3.

There had been earlier reports that Mohamed Salah (£13.1m) has been given permission to face Chelsea in Gameweek 21 before leaving for Africa.

For others, a departure after Gameweek 20 seems likely.

Tim Spiers reports that is the case for Romain Saiss (£5.0m) at Wolves, while James Benge suggests that Arsenal are trying to agree on a similar exit date for Thomas Partey (£5.0m).

GameweekDates
Gameweek 19Dec 26-27
Gameweek 20Dec 28-30
Gameweek 21Jan 1-3
Gameweek 22Jan 14-16
Gameweek 23Jan 21-23
Gameweek 24Feb 8-9

PREMIER LEAGUE PLAYERS AND TEAMS AFFECTED BY AFCON 2021

Over 30 players from 16 clubs could be representing their respective nations at AFCON in January.

Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Leicester City and Watford look set to be the worst hit, with four or more players on international duty.

Leeds United, Newcastle United, Norwich City and Tottenham Hotspur are the four teams that won’t be affected by the tournament in Cameroon.

There are some big names in the below list, the most notable of which is Mohamed Salah (£13.1m).

The 71%-owned leading points-scorer in FPL is one of three Liverpool players who are set to be missing in January and possibly the beginning of February, with Sadio Mane (£11.9m) and Naby Keita (£5.0m) set to turn out for Senegal and Guinea respectively.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£9.6m), Maxwel Cornet (£5.9m), Edouard Mendy (£6.2m), Riyad Mahrez (£8.6m), and Said Benrahma (£5.9m) are also stand-out names in the table we’ve put together below:


ClubPlayers who may be at AFCON 2021 (bold indicates the final squad has been announced)
ArsenalThomas Partey (Ghana)
Mohamed Elneny (Egypt)
Pierre Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon)
Nicolas Pepe (Ivory Coast)
Aston VillaMahmoud Trezeguet (Egypt)
Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso)
BrentfordFrank Onyeka (Nigeria)
Tariqe Fosu-Henry (Ghana)
BrightonYves Bissouma (Mali)
BurnleyMaxwel Cornet (Ivory Coast)
ChelseaEdouard Mendy (Senegal)
Crystal PalaceCheikhou Kouyate (Senegal)
Jeffrey Schlupp (Ghana)
Jordan Ayew (Ghana)
Wilfried Zaha (Ivory Coast)
EvertonAlex Iwobi (Nigeria)
LeicesterDaniel Amartey (Ghana)
Nampalys Mendy (Senegal)
Wilfred Ndidi (Nigeria)
Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigeria)
LiverpoolMohamed Salah (Egypt)
Naby Keita (Guinea)
Sadio Mane (Senegal)
Manchester CityRiyad Mahrez (Algeria)
Manchester UnitedEric Bailly (Ivory Coast)
SouthamptonMoussa Djenepo (Mali)
Mohammed Salisu (Ghana)
WatfordWilliam Troost-Ekong (Nigeria)
Adam Masina (Morocco)
Ismaila Sarr (Senegal)
Emmanuel Dennis (Nigeria)
Imran Louza (Morocco)
West HamSaid Benrahma (Algeria)
WolvesRomain Saiss (Morocco)
Willy Boly (Ivory Coast)

430 Comments Post a Comment
  1. JoeJitzu +42
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    A. Salah ESR Antonio to Son Martinelli Ronaldo

    B. Salah Watkins Dennis to Son Ronaldo Broja

    C. FH

    Ramsdale
    Cancelo James Dalot Tomiyasu
    Foden* Gundogan ESR*
    Watkins Antonio*

    Foster TAA Jota Salah Dennis

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      -8's?

      1. JoeJitzu +42
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Yes -8s to save FH for later use

  2. Everton Vs Burnley Postponed
    Rotation's Alter Ego
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Another one bites the dust. Everton Vs Burnley this time

    https://twitter.com/BurnleyOfficial/status/1474341596409831426

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      That’s got to be the most irrelevant cancellation there’s ever been.

      1. WVA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        First game cancelled that I don't have at least 2 players in

      2. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Not really something to get Wood about

      3. Gubby-Allen
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Not really. They had the two longest gaps between first and last games of the Xmas period, so would have been least likely to make changes, having a regular three games in a week.

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          So what?

          1. Gubby-Allen
            • 2 Years
            2 years, 3 months ago

            So you have better assurance of who would have played and far less changes. They could easily have got away with successive unchanged teams.

            You have no idea with Arsenal say, who will play on 28th. They could be unchanged from Boxing Day or make 11 changes. Its why a Man Utd player seems a good transfer this week.

            1. Rupert The Horse
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              2 years, 3 months ago

              I honestly don’t give a toss.

      4. circusmonkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        No Brownhill off the bench, that's all anyone will be affected by.

      5. FantasyClub
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Benitez had a sook

      6. Pacer.
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Not to the season in general though. Four games behind. Just imagine what the second half of the season is going to look like for these teams

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          I really don’t care.

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Affects no-one FPL wise at least

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Pheww, no players...

    4. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Effective ownership of 0.1%

    5. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Lowton Captain fail.

      1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Burnley defs would have made great Xmas FH stocking fillers...

    6. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Burnley will now be four games behind some times.

      Getting pretty GRITTED TEETH EMOJI

    7. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Not this game that matters, but what about games on 30th

    8. 2999 - Lady of Legend
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Takes DCL out of the equation, was considering him on WC.

  3. AC Yew
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Hey all. Is my team looking ok for this week? Dont want to waste the FH chip. Looking for a one week punt to replace Jota (for a hit). Got 10.6 ITB.
    Still got WC to play so will bring Jota back and tidy my team next week.

    Guaita
    Dias Cancelo Rudiger Duffy
    Son Jota* Bilva Saka
    Toney Antonio

    Foster TAA Raphinha Dennis

  4. WVA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Salah to Bruno for free with enough ITB to get Salah back?

    Ramsdale
    TAA Cancelo James Reguilon
    Bruno SON Bilva ESR
    Lacazette Antonio
    Steele TAA King Sissoko

    1. bigwig
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah like it alot, there's the obvious risk of Ronaldo ripping it up but I'm sure you're aware of that

      1. WVA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Would be a hit for Ronaldo and if he rips it up Bruno is likely to be involved?

        1. bigwig
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          Bruno's just a great differential and the best Utd mid option but is probably over priced without pens. As a place holder for a few weeks for Salah it's decent punt

  5. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Bottomed - whatcha think?

    A) Salah -> Son
    B) Salah & Brownhill -> Son & 6.9 (Bowen) (-4)
    C) Free Hit
    D) Something else

    Ramsdale
    Cancelo, James, Alonso, White
    Saka, Gray, Brownhill
    CR7(c), Antonio

    Foster, Trent, Jota, Salah, King
    Bank 0.0m, 1FT

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Maybe save?

  6. Black Knights
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Burnley v Everton now off.

  7. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Just need Villa vs Chelsea to go away...

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

    2. FantasyClub
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      If that happens my free hits coming out 100%

  8. El_Gigante
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Ramsdale
    Dalot, James, Cancelo (Amartey)
    Bernardo, Mount, Foden, Bowen
    Antonio, Laca

    (Gunn, Salah, TAA, King)

    1FT

    A. Salah > Son?
    B. King, Salah > Ronaldo, Martinelli (-4)
    C. Roll

  9. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    The real question is can Jota cover Salah for Leicester and Chelsea. What do you reckon?

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Absolutely not

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Nobody can cover Salah. But the better comparison would be with the player you are planning to get in for him.

  10. Ivan Toney Soprano
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Potential FH team

    Rambo

    Cancelo James Reg Tierney
    KDB Son(vc) Mount Bowen Martinelli
    Ronaldo (c)

    Sanchez Dalot Broja Pukki

    Any thoughts? Glaring omissions? Traps?

  11. Well you know, Triffic
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Brownhill noooooOOo

    1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Now you know how us Sissoko owners feel lol

      1. JoeJitzu +42
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Brilliant post 🙂

  12. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Who is best city mid for free hit?

    Thinking kdb..... thanks

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Yep the most expensive one

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah KDB

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Bernardo or Mahrez

      1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Probably going these 2 with Cancelo on FH

    4. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I feel like Mahrez is getting his third haul in a row.

    5. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Spin the wheel, but wouldn't be surprised by Mahrez if he starts

  13. Dexters Laboratory
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Ramsdale Foster
    TAA James Cancelo Alonso Liv
    Salah Foden Jota Galla Sterling
    Laca King Davis

    Need to do Sterling to Son to make funds.. and obviously improves my team. After that should I do

    A) Davis/Salah to Marti/CR7
    B) King/Salah to Bowen/CR7

  14. Super John McGinn-
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Keep Salah or sell until after ACON, currently down to 10 with Gundo and ESR doubts

    Ramsdale
    TAA, Cancelo, James, Alonso, Livramento
    Foden, Gundo, ESR
    Antonio, Watkins

    Foster, Salah, TAA, Jota, Dennis

    2 FT 1.2 ITB

    A) Salah + Watkins + Alonso > Son + Ronaldo + Davies/Dalot (-4)
    B) Salah + Watkins + Antonio > Son + Ronaldo + Broja (-4)
    C) Salah > Son
    D) ESR > Bowen
    E) Dennis > Broja
    F) Other

  15. Philosopher's Stones
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Apparently Norwich v Arsenal and Villa v Chelsea are also at risk.

    FH loading in 3...2....

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Yay!

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Whats the news on Norwich Arsenal now?

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Arsenal Norwich will definitely be called off as I no have Ramsdale ESR AND Laca

    4. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      This would be awful for me

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        everyone 😉

  16. Xna
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Salah + Foden + Raphinha - KDB + Son + Martinelli (-8) - yay or nay

  17. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Everton unbeaten over Xmas. Get in.

  18. TheTinman
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    1-2pts taken from me for Brownhill. I feel aggrieved and rightly so.

  19. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    This team FH worthy? Have 10 starting atm with either Dennis or one of the pool boys to shift to get a full 11?

    Ramsdale
    Lamptey - James - Rudiger - Cancelo
    Son - ESR - Bilva - Salah
    Broja - Lacazette

    Bachmann - TAA - Jota - Dennis

  20. OneDennisBergkamp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    with all these transfers out, GW21 Salah (c) is going to be massive!

    1. OneDennisBergkamp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      *GW20 vs lei

      1. OptimusBlack
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        That's right

    2. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      He is back GW 20 ?

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Not as massive as Ronaldo

  21. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    After what happened with Villa last time it might be a long 4 hours wait for people with players in that

    1. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I would sincerely hope one of the outcomes from the Premier League meeting was that on match days the lateral flows have to be done X hours before kick off so that Premier League can make a decision within X hours to allow fans plenty of time to be updated.

      Cancellations so soon before kick off can't happen ever again. Ridiculous.

      1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Yep. I'm likely going FH but loading up on 3pm KO-ers to keep the risk at its lowest.

  22. Geordie19
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Worth a FH if you can field 11? I’d say not, but means I’d lose Salah for Gw20

    1. vova
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      not worth it

  23. vova
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Salah/Raphinha/Dennis to Son/Bowen/Wood -8?

    Gives me 11 players this week and sets me up nicely for the potential upcoming DGWs

    1. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Burnley is cancelled mate

  24. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Why lie, the way games are dropping off, 99% of managers will FH for gw19.

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Not sure if I would FH with only 3-4 games

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Exactly my thoughts last week.

      2. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Lets wait to see if the Villa game will be on.

    2. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Unlikely as 22% have played their FH already 🙂

      8% in top 10k

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        There is that. 😉

      2. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Got me.

    3. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I don’t think that percentage will turn out to be accurate.

    4. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I've only had 6-7 players for the last few gameweeks because of postponements and I haven't used a FH, I've scraped through with a -4 each week, save your FH for 11 extra players in a DGW

  25. PascalCygan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Can’t wait to load up on Burnley players for their quintuple game week

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah, Wood time!

      1. PascalCygan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Ha, yes! I was genuinely considering him this week. Not long until we can all welcome Lowton back into our squads!

  26. Sir Matt Bugsby
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Villa-Chelsea and Norwich-Arsenal next?

  27. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Whatcha reckon is the minimum no of starters required to avoid a FH?

    I currently have 8…

    Ramsdale
    Cancelo, James, Alonso, White
    Saka
    CR7, Antonio

    Foster, Trent, Salah, Jota, Gray, Brownhill, King
    Bank 0.0m, 1FT

    1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      -8 ok -12 too much is my rule

    2. fantasist
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      It's hard to say. Depends what your competition will field. If you are playing catchup, might be worth doing FH.

  28. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Who should I replace here to field 11?

    Ramsdale
    Lamptey - James - Rudiger - Cancelo
    Son - ESR - Bilva - Salah
    Broja - Lacazette

    Bachmann - TAA - Jota - Dennis

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Salah to Bruno

  29. fantasist
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Burnley vs Everton called off

    Impact on FPL: none

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Well I’m glad someone’s said it.

    2. Jinswick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Brownhill and Gray owner here!!