It seems like the battle between the European top leagues and Conmebol is just getting started. Both the English Premier League and the Spanish La Liga have announced they won’t release their players for the South American World Cup Qualifiers triple-fixture in September.
Their decision comes amid concerns for the pandemic situation in South America and theself-isolation every incoming traveler from that region has to face when arriving at England and Spain. Any player whoreturns to these countries after playingin any of thered-listed countries would have to comply with a 10-dayquarantine, which could be longer if they suffer any setback.
Besides, they’d miss more games until they are match fit again. Therefore, La Liga teamsare unwilling to release those players, leaving more than 20 out of the upcoming international break:
Argentina
Argentina won’t be able to call up Angel Correa. (Getty)
Argentina will miss up to nine players after La Liga’s announcement, being the worst-hit team by their decision. Lionel Scaloni had already submitted his squad, which included these players:
- RodrigoDe Paul (Atletico Madrid)
- Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid)
- German Pezzella (Betis)
- Guido Rodríguez (Betis)
- Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla)
- Marcos Acuña (Sevilla)
- Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gómez (Sevilla)
- Geronimo Rulli (Villarreal)
- Juan Foyth (Villarreal)
Brazil
Real Madrid won’t release Casemiro. (Getty)
Brazil, who were deeply affected by the Premier League’s decision, losing up to eight players, won’t miss so many players by La Liga’s decision. But their two absences will be impactful, as the Real Madrid pair Casemiro and Eder Militao wouldn’t be eligible.
Chile
La Roja will also have to deal with a number of casualties, even though they aren’t as numerousas Argentina’s. Chile will have to face the next international fixture without Betis’ Claudio Bravo at goal, Elche’s Enzo Roco, and Cadiz’s Tomas Alarcon.
Ecuador
Ecuador don’t seem to be really affected by the Premier and La Liga’s stance, although they’d miss their key left-back Pervis Estupiñan unless he leaves Villarreal in the next few days.
Paraguay
Eduardo Berizzo will have to make two changes to the Paraguay roster as two of his selections won’t be released by La Liga. We’re talking about Valencia center-back Omar Alderete andSantiago Arzamendia, who has joined Cadiz this summer.
Peru
Like La Albirroja, Peru would also miss two important players if La Liga’s decision stands still by the beginning of the international window. Center-back Luis Abram and defensive midfield Renato Tapia‘s absences would mean a huge blow to Ricardo Gareca‘s side.
Uruguay
Luis Suarez’s absence will be a massive blow for Uruguay. (Getty)
Uruguay coach Oscar Washington Tabarez will have a challenging job in replacing six of his players for the international window, including the Atletico Madrid pair Luis Suarez and Jose Maria Gimenez:
- Luis Suarez (Atletico Madrid)
- Jose Maria Gimenez (Atletico Madrid)
- Ronald Araujo (Barcelona)
- Mauro Arambarri (Getafe)
- Federico Valverde (Real Madrid)
- Maxi Gomez (Valencia)
Venezuela
La Vinotino, who will face the next fixture with interim coachLeonardo Gonzalez at the helm, will miss Granada striker Darwin Machis. Venezuela didn’t get off to a positive start and this only adds another jab at their aspirations.
