Tokyo Olympics: How could the Premier League’s big six be affected?

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Arsenal became the first club to be impacted by the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics this week with the news that Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli are both set to be included in Brazil’s squad for the Games. The upcoming tournament could be set to impact a number of Premier League clubs alike.

Olympic squads are usually made up of U23 players but teams are now permitted to select as many as three players born before January 1 1997.

Any absences would of course be a big miss with the tournament set to run until Sunday August 8 – just six dates before the start of the 2021/22 Premier League season.

Express Sport takes a look at how each of the big six could see their squads affected.

Manchester City

The most obvious candidate for Pep Guardiola is Spaniard Ferran Torres, with the former Valencia man being eligible based on his age. He would be a big miss, having scored 10 goals in his first campaign at the Etihad.

Meanwhile, he could be joined by fellow Spaniards Rodri and the on-loan Angelino as overage selections. The same could be said of central defender Aymeric Laporte who has switched his international allegiance to Spain.

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Elsewhere, Ilkay Gundogan could be eligible for Germany.

However, those players might well be at the European championships any, meaning they would be unlikely to go to the Olympics.

Manchester United

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will certainly not have as many worries for the games. The only age-eligible player might well be Amad after the Ivory Coast booked their place at the tournament.

He could potentially be joined by compatriot Eric Bailly.

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Chelsea

Like the Red Devils, Chelsea do not have to worry too much about players departing. Kai Havertz remains as the only age-eligible player who can be considered, with the rest of their over-age options likely to be included at the Euros.

This includes N’Golo Kante, Antonio Rudiger and Kepa, amongst others.

Liverpool

The Reds’ main worry will of course centre around Mo Salah. The forward has been talked up as a potential option for Egypt having been included on their provisional squad list.

They will hope that he decides not to travel having scored 21 Premier League goals so far this season.

Meanwhile, Thiago Alcantara and Takumi Minamino could be senior options for Spain and Japan respectively.

Tottenham Hotspur

Unless Argentina elect to call up their senior players, Spurs should be fine ahead of the Olympics. Juan Foyth is the only age-eligible option at the club, whilst Erik Lamela and Giovani Lo Celso could potentially receive calls.

An intriguing option could well be Heung Min-Son who as one of South Korea’s better players, might well be considered for the games.

Arsenal

The Gunners have already learned their fate with the likes of Martinelli and Gabriel set to join up with Brazil.

However, Nicolas Pepe could also be a surprise choice from the Ivory Coast.

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