With the start of the Asian Cup looming in January, we can only ponder what the clubs will be like, having lost some of their most valuable assets in the process.
A vital player leaving Everton in January is Aussie starman Tim Cahill. He has been the stand out figure for the Toffee's disappointing start to the Premier League season with 9 goals to his name, some of them proving vital. He was instrumental in Everton's win over title contenders Man City last monday night, scoring a header, something to well known amongst Premier League staticians, and setting up Leighton Baines, to hopefully kickstart the Toffee's season.
Another iconic figure that will be on his way to Qatar for the Asian Cup in 2010 will be Manchester United regular Park Ji-Sung. He may not be a well-known figure amongst the footballing world but he has delivered and stepped up to the plate when United have needed him most, scoring that vital double against Wolves & also a crucial goal against Arsenal . He may not be dearly missed but he will miss a large portion of United's games come late January/early Feb and hopefully by then Rooney will be in-form and scoring goals for fun, keeping United at the summit.
Bolton playmaker Lee Chung Yong will also be missing as he's joining Park Ji Sung & South Korea in an attempt to redeem their world cup woes. Lee currently has 2 goals & 4 assists and has been a fantastic signing since arriving from FC Seoul.
More key players vanishing come January will be Blackburn's Brett Emerton, Blackpool's David Karney & and it will be by no means a negative for the premier league. It will give clubs the opportunity to test out some of their young guns and give them a taste of life in the premier league.
The host country of next years Asian Cup, Qatar, has been at the centre of controversy in recent weeks surrounding its successful World Cup 2022 bid. Next year is a perfect example of how a competition of such magnitude can be staged in a weak footballing nation. There is talk of air conditioners being introduced in stadiums in order to withstand the heat.
What is also notable is the fact that it's placed in January, which FIFA has strongly debated whether or not the World Cup 2022 would suit in January, due to unbearable temperatures in the summer, reaching up to 50c.
This is a perfect test run for how the World Cup will be staged at Qatar come 2022 and hopefully the controversy will be re evaluated come 2022.
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