What does the AFCON mean for West Ham United?

LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 8: Mohammed Kudus of West Ham United on the ball during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Newcastle United at London Stadium on October 8, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images) /

The Hammers are flying high after a brilliant start to both the premier league and the europa league. They’ve only lost to Liverpool and Manchester City so far this season. This comes as a surprise as most fans were nervous at the start of the season due to a poor domestic campaign in the 2022-2023 season and losing much loved captain Declan Rice. However Moyes has got the team looking defensively solid as well as playing brilliant attacking football.

West Ham have a strong African influence in their team, namely their star signing Mohamed Kudos who recently transferred for 38 million from Ajax. There are key African players all over the pitch as it is likely Said Benrahma, Nayef Aguerd and Maxwel Cornet will also be selected for their respective national teams. So how long will we be without them?

DAGENHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 22: Maxwel Cornet of West Ham United runs with the ball during the pre-season friendly match between Dagenham & Redbridge and West Ham United at Chigwell Construction Stadium on July 22, 2023 in Dagenham, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images) /

LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 08: Nayef Aguerd of West Ham United is challenged by Callum Wilson of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Newcastle United at London Stadium on October 08, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images) /

The tournament is due to start on the 13th of January, where clubs are expected to release players a week before that. The final is played on the 11th of February, meaning the team could lose players for up to 5 weeks, depending on how deep into the tournament their nations get. Usually after a major tournament players also receive a few days off before returning to club football, but that has to be agreed upon with manager David Moyes.

West Ham United’s Scottish manager David Moyes (L) shouts instructions to the players from the touchline during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Newcastle United at the London Stadium, in London on October 8, 2023. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images) /

But wait, it gets worse…

The average January day temperature in host country Ivory Cost is around 32 degrees. A stark comparison to West London’s winter temperatures. Such a change in temperature can be harmful to players. The dangers are mostly heat stroke and a heightened risk of soft tissue injury. Couple this with the added ‘passion’ that comes with representing your national team and it’s easy to see how players pick up injuries at these tournaments. Asking for this level of performance at this time of the footballing calendar can bring about serious injury risk, as we saw with the last years Qatar world cup being held mid-domestic season.

All this brings about the question, where is Lingard? We could have really done with him during this period. Will the team have enough depth to cope with the losses? We have to remember other teams will be without players too, so will it matter at all? Please comment your thoughts.

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