An important addition to the Bremen-London service. Pavlenka would have played for Chelsea for almost the whole of January

If Jiří Pavlenka does indeed move to Chelsea, it might not mean just sitting on the bench. In fact, Edouard Mendy, the Blues’ current number one, will be leaving to represent his country at the African Cup of Nations in January 2022 as a Senegalese international.

This scenario could come true, especially if Pavlenko is given the number two spot (he has played 14 times this season) by the Spaniard Kepa Arrizabalaga. He has a contract in London until the summer of 2025, so it can be assumed that the Chelsea management will prefer his departure on loan.

This would give the Spaniard enough time (4 seasons straight) to convince the management that he has what it takes to be number one at Chelsea. Maybe just after Mendy who is 3 years older.

The African Cup of Nations will be held (like the EURO or Copa America) a year late. The championship starts on 9 January. The winner will be announced on February 6. Only time will tell how far Mendy will take his Senegal.

But Mendy certainly won’t be the only one to disappear from Premier League rosters for about a month. Just when these players will be needed most. The holidays and the entire following month are literally riddled with soccer matches in the Islands.

Liverpool will probably have the biggest problems. The latter will lose three key players for a time – Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita representing Egypt, Senegal and Guinea respectively. The Reds had big problems in 2017 without Mane. Jürgen Klopp’s charges won just one of their seven games then.

Manchester City would lose Riyad Mahrez, who plays for Algeria. Arsenal for the trio of Aubameyang (Gabon), Pepe (Ivory Coast) and Elneny (Egypt).

Tottenham also have one Ivorian in their ranks – Serge Aurier. So does Manchester United, who own Eric Bailly.

Leicester also have strong African representation – Wilfried Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho play for Nigeria, Daniel Amartey represents Ghana and new acquisition from Salzburg Patson Daka represents Zambia.

Source:: Livesport, talkSPORT