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Back in 2009, Didier Drogba said he wanted to delay leaving for the Cup of African Nations (CAN) as the idea of leaving his Chelsea team mates behind was bothering him. What bothered Chelsea fans even more was the prospect of losing not only Drogba, but also Salomon Kalou, midfield stalwart Jon Mikel Obi and the man they called the Bison, Michael Essien, in the middle of a title challenge.
Manchester City and Mancini experienced pretty much the same problem, losing Yaya Toure to the tournament this year. It was evident how much his absence was felt in the middle of the park, as City lacked his late, driving runs into the box and his humongous presence, coupled with his ability to keep the ball and pass it accurately. The fact is, the Cup of African Nations has always thrown up a reason to debate upon. Not only does it provide the dilemma of losing out key players in the middle of a league season, but also various other factors as well. Emmanuel Adebayor was one of the few to experience those miscellaneous factors, when on duty with Togo in the Cup of Nations 2010. The team bus he was travelling in was attacked by armed militants, killing the assistant manager Abalo Amelete and media officer Stanislas Ocloo. An attack like that leaves its imprint with the mental trauma that it brings, and Togo eventually pulled out of the tournament.
Other than that, it is the risk of injuries that players pick up during the tournament that causes concerns. Common logic applied, a tournament has a considerably more rigorous schedule than the league, which requires a minimum of a game a week. Hence playing an added number of games in a short span of time leaves more room for injuries and less time to recover. The World Cup usually ends in July with at least a month before domestic leagues begin, but the CAN ends with players returning immediately to their league commitments. Add to that the fact that they play in a different climate while in Africa (January in England is still winters) and the jet lag pressing on trudging tired bodies across continents, and you have a massive cause for concern.
So it is pretty clear that the CAN plays an important role in the domestic circuit as much as in the International arena. So how exactly will the returning African players influence the sides that regard them as key players?
Chelsea
Returning players: Jon Obi Mikel and Victor Moses
Pros: With all the talk of Chelsea delving into the transfer market for a midfield general with stamina and strength (the likes of Paulinho (Corinthians) and Marouane Fellaini (Everton), Mikel offers a temporary, if not valuable option. Although his performances this season have been slightly erratic to say the least, Mikel has proven time and again to be an important asset in the middle of the park. Defensively sound and with a natural gift of keeping the ball well, he just might help shore up Chelsea’s midfield with his presence. Mikel’s technical stats are impressive as well, with a successful pass percentage of 90% and a successful tackling rate of two and a half tackles a game underlines his usually under-appreciated work rate.
The return of Victor Moses will also be a welcome sight for Chelsea, seeing a slightly different attacking option restored to their ranks. With the similar playing styles of Oscar, Juan Mata and Eden Hazard raising concerns about Chelsea being too orthodox in attack, Moses will offer the option of a fast winger who loves getting to the byline, along with a penchant for neat finishes. His versatility of playing on either wing can create a wing interchange tactic between Hazard and him, which will make it harder for opposition defenders to mark and read the game.
Cons: The return of Mikel will give Rafa Benitez a bit of a selection headache. Does he go with a more attackingly efficient Luiz alongside Ramires? Or does he put his faith on the in-form Frank Lampard, trusting his aging legs to take the burdens of a difficult schedule? With Mikel’s non-existent attacking record of never having scored in the league (and only once in his entire career for Chelsea), will Rafa Benitez trade an attacking option to tighten up defensively?
The return of Moses too will require one of Chelsea’s high quality attacking midfielders to drop to the bench. With Eden Hazard and Juan Mata showing themselves to be indispensable, and Oscar scoring in his last two appearances, it remains to be seen if Benitez will make a relatively risky move of incorporating Moses for a little more defensive resolve. Moses did manage 2 goals in his 5 appearances in the CAN, so that will again require Benitez to reassess his playing eleven.
Manchester City
Returning players: Yaya Toure
Pros: Losing a player of Toure’s mantle was always going to hurt City tremendously, and that showed when Liverpool almost snatched a win in a 2-2 draw at the Etihad and Queens Park Rangers held them to a draw. 4 goals and 3 assists from midfield, 2 shots on target a game, a pass completion rate of 89%, and the overall contribution is there for everyone to see. His return to the side coupled with his trademark runs from the middle and excellent passing will be a shot in the arm to City’s chances of finishing in the top 2 and of winning the FA Cup (no points for guessing who scored the winner the last time they won it).
Cons: Seeing that Toure himself has no tactical weakness, there are no cons to write about. Javi Garcia’s run in the side will now subside, and Jack Rodwell will have to work extra hard to upstage Barry from the other midfield position.
Tottenham
Returning players: Emmanuel Adebayor
Pros: Playing largely without a recognized centre forward for a good run of games, Spurs were kept afloat largely thanks to the heroics of their Welsh Wizard, Gareth Bale. With the return of Emmanuel Adebayor, Spurs can now look to play their passes to a proper forward, instead of Clint Dempsey, who was largely disappointing in his endeavors as a striker. With Jermaine Defoe out until at least the 3rd of March with an ankle injury, Adebayor can expect a good run into the side, unless his performances prove otherwise.
Cons: Adebayor’s performances in the league have been disappointing to say the least, with only 2 goals in 11 appearances (no assists) this season. He needs to show the form he showed under Harry Redknapp when he was still on loan, otherwise he might find himself warming the bench once Defoe is fit to start.
Wigan Athletic
Returning player: Arouna Kone
Pros: Arguably one of Wigan’s best players this season, contributing a generous 6 goals and 5 assists in 22 appearances for the club. Having such a consistent attacking threat will surely pump Wigan’s attacking stats up a notch, and will take them that much closer to staying in the Premier League for yet another season.
Queens Park Rangers
Returning players: Samba Diakite and Adel Taraabt
Pros: Both players being vital main stays in an increasingly unstable Ranger’s line ups, their returns will add to their push to avoid the drop zone. Taraabt’s high flair and box of tricks will give the fans a few reasons to cheer in a season that sees them rooted to the bottom rung. Diakite’s return will also see a significant portion of QPR’s defensive midfield chink regain its sheen. Cameroon’s failure to qualify means that Stephane Mbia is fresh and available.
Newcastle
Returning players: Chieck Tiote
Pros: Newcastle will be glad to see Cheick Tiote back in a successful midfield combination with Yohann Cabaye, which worked wonders for them last season. In spite of Moussa Sissoko being a revelation since signing on, Tiote’s tough presence will allow Cabaye a little more freedom to operate. His return to the side might be two fold as well, as relieved of his defensive duties, Sissoko will have a license to thrill with his powerful running that gave European Champions Chelsea a hard time.
Cons: Tiote will also bring with him a disappointing disciplinary record, one showing that he has accumulated 5 yellow and 1 red card in 19 starts in the league. Not only does it pose a personal danger of suspension to the combative midfielder, but will also significantly increase a foul count in the defensive midfield area, which can be capitalized on by direct free kick taking specialists.
Returning players: Gervinho
Pros: Given that he’s received a lot of stick for his poor performances this season, Gervinho’s outing in a different squad should have lifted his spirits a little bit. The pacy winger can now look to make his way into the side, which shouldn’t be too difficult if Andre Arshavin continues to put in unconvincing displays.
Cons: Irrespective of what I said in the pros section, Arsenal fans should worry that he’s back. Excellent dribbling and pace with poor first touches and finishing have led him to miss sitters, which surely is agonizing to watch for the Gunners faithful.
So as the season approaches crunch time, the players returning from the CAN should and will certainly make a notable difference. If that’s for the good or the bad, well that we’ll know come the end of the season.
