As the 2021 African Cup of Nations football fest slated for January 9 in Cameroon gathers momentum, there are palpable fears that, at least, 40 footballers will leave the English Premier League.

In recent times, CAF has been put under pressure by agitated clubsides in Europe to reschedule the date to probably June when the league season would wind up.

Many Premier League managers including Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp believe the timing of the competition will undoubtedly lead to frustration and big challenge without the star players who will be out of action for almost a month.

A club like Liverpool, for instance, will have to deal with the absence of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane while Arsenal will lose iconic ex-captain, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and three other key players.

Below are names of each Premier League club and players that are leaving for AFCON in January:

Arsenal:

Thomas Partey (Ghana), Mohamed Elneny (Egypt), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon), Nicolas Pepe (Ivory Coast)

Aston Villa:

Trezeguet (Egypt), Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso), Marvelous Nakamba (Zimbabwe)

Brentford:

Julian Jeanvier (Guinea), Frank Onyeka (Nigeria), Tariqe Fosu-Henry (Ghana)

Brighton:

Yves Bissouma (Mali)

Burnley:

Maxwel Cornet (Ivory Coast)

Chelsea:

Edouard Mendy (Senegal), Hakim Ziyech (Morocco)

Crystal Palace:

Cheikhou Kouyate (Senegal), Jeffrey Schlupp (Ghana), Jordan Ayew (Ghana), Wilfried Zaha (Ivory Coast)

Everton:

Alex Iwobi (Nigeria), Jean-Philippe Gbamin (Ivory Coast)

Leeds: None

Leicester:

Daniel Amartey (Ghana), Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigeria), Nampalys Mendy (Senegal), Wilfried Ndidi (Nigeria)

Liverpool:

Mohamed Salah (Egypt), Sadio Mane (Senegal), Naby Keita (Guinea)

Manchester City:

Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)

Manchester United:

Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast), Eric Bailly (Ivory Coast)

Newcastle: None

Norwich: None

Southampton:

Moussa Djenepo (Mali), Mohammed Salisu (Ghana)

Tottenham: None

Watford:

Adam Masina (Morocco), Emmanuel Dennis (Nigeria), Ismaila Sarr (Senegal), Peter Etebo (Nigeria), Will Troost-Ekong (Nigeria)

West Ham:

Said Benrahma (Algeria)

Wolves:

Romain Saiss (Morocco), Willy Boly (Ivory Coast)