by Lewis Ambrose
Premier League champions Chelsea will be missing more players than their rivals as they kick-off the defence of their title.
As Alistair Tweedale excellently explored for the Telegraph, Chelsea will be hit hardest by having players away on international duty during the summer months this year.
Last season saw Arsenal struggle with Mesut Özil and Per Mertesacker missing pre-season after winning the World Cup with Germany. This year Alexis Sánchez will return late, as he won the Copa América with Chile for the first time in their history.
That is all Arsenal have to worry about, though. The Copa América also saw David Ospina in action but the Colombian is unlikely to be needed by Arsenal as the club have signed Petr Čech from Chelsea. Carl Jenkinson played for the England u21s but is likely to go out on loan, Calum Chambers was also in the squad but didn’t feature.
Chelsea winger Willian was a key member of the Brazil squad, along with club teammate Filipe Luis. Meanwhile, Juan Cuadrado and new signing Falcao were plying their trade for Colombia. Four further players, who are unlikely to feature heavily in Jose Mourinho’s plans, were at the u21 Euros in the Czech Republic.
Title rivals Manchester City had star men Sergio Agüero and Pablo Zabaleta disappointed by Argentina’s loss in the final, while Martin Demichelis was also playing. Fernandinho was at the tournament with quarter-finalists Brazil and, given the failure to clinch a deal for Fabian Delph, is likely to be vital for Manuel Pellegrini’s men.
Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester United also all had men at either one summer tournament or the other. The likes of Harry Kane, Philippe Coutinho and Marcos Rojo have all been on international duty for varying amounts of time.
Though Arsenal have Alexis missing our rivals should start the season equally weakened, if not worse off.