Premier League Boxing Day: high stakes for African players
African players will be under particular scrutiny on Monday as the Premier League returns on Boxing Day.
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Some have had a sluggish start to the season, others shone on the English stage before flying off to Qatar or going on holiday. But from 26 December at 12:30 (GMT), the Premier League's players will have the spectators' eyes fixed on them all week, as the other major leagues do not resume until the middle or end of the week.
Man City 3 vs Liverpool 2, a cup tie that could prove decisive for Salah and Mahrez?
Despite a difficult start to the season, mirroring his club's, Mohamed Salah has once again shown he has not lost his appetite for the big games. Indeed, before the World Cup break, the Egyptian scored a decisive goal against Manchester City and a brace against Tottenham, helping Liverpool to crucial league wins. The great Mo Salah may be back, though that remains to be seen against Aston Villa.
Riyad Mahrez has made little impact in the league at the start of the season, despite plenty of game time in the Champions League. Sometimes a victim of a very strong squad, and of the arrival of Haaland, who reshuffled the pack in attack, the Algerian did not hesitate to seize his chance in a big clash against Liverpool with a sensational goal that will no doubt stay in Pep Guardiola's mind when he picks his starting 11 against Leeds on 27 December.
Read more on the same subject: Premier League: tensions between Edouard Mendy and Chelsea
Koulibaly, Mendy, Aubameyang: a harsh reality check at Chelsea
The Senegal internationals who reached the round of 16 in Qatar, Edouard Mendy and new signing Kalidou Koulibaly, have not yet fully convinced the Blues' new coach. He did not hesitate to keep Kepa Arrizabalaga as first-choice goalkeeper after Mendy's return from injury. Kalidou Koulibaly, for his part, is not getting ideal game time in the Premier League and also looks less reliable than he did at Napoli.
Brought in at Chelsea to solve their problems up front, Aubameyang is for the moment one more problem for the Londoners' attack. He has made only six appearances and scored one goal in the PL, the centre-forward having arrived from Barça, and his history with another London club ended badly. What will their status be against Bournemouth on the 27th at 17:30 (GMT)?
Thomas Partey, Mohammed Salisu, key pieces for Arsenal and Southampton
Often a target for criticism with the national team, Thomas Partey did not have a World Cup that will go down in the annals. However, he is a major contributor to Arsenal's historic start to the season, with the club top of the Premier League. The London club will no doubt be eager to see him back in action against another team from the city, West Ham, to consolidate their place at the top.
In contrast to his compatriot, Mohammed Salisu held his own as a leader in Ghana's defence. A World Cup goalscorer, the 23-year-old Saints player should once again be a cornerstone of his club under the new manager, who is determined to save the side from relegation.
Mary SOUMARÉ