Never mind Old Trafford, Highbury or White Hart Lane.
This season’s battle to win — and even stay — in the English Premiership could be fought on the sun-baked grounds of Tunisia just as much as it will be at those famous English grounds.
With the African Nations Cup about to claim some of the continent’s brightest talent for the next month, the shockwaves are already being felt as the club-versus-country debate gets another familiar airing.
However, this time round it’s more intense thanks to a new Fifa ruling that allows players with dual nationality to switch allegiance as long as they haven’t played for their home nations at senior level.
Spurs boss David Pleat is incensed at Frederic Kanoute’s decision to play for Mali even though he had represented France at under-21 level.
Pleat has insisted he was not aware of the player’s Mali links when he signed him for £3,5-million from West Ham.
”We did not sign him as a Mali player, fully aware that he was going to the African Nations Cup,” Pleat said of his 12-goal top scorer.
”It’s like buying an intimidating player who misses 12 games a year because he keeps getting sent off. You would think twice about signing him.”
Arsenal had tried to delay Kanu’s departure to the Nigerian squad with the Gunners, struck by injuries, entering a crucial part of their title chase.
Bolton Wanderers, too, were keen to hang on to Nigerian skipper Jay-Jay Okocha for as long as possible with crucial matches on the horizon.
Even champions Manchester United have not escaped the net with Cameroon calling up Eric Djemba-Djemba.
However, Old Trafford breathed a sigh of relief when Quinton Fortune was left out of the South African squad after falling out with his country’s soccer chiefs.
”I want Kanu to go to the African Nations Cup finals as I respect the fact that he plays for his country, but I wanted it to be as late as possible,” said Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.
Bolton boss Sam Allardyce even tried to persuade Okocha to retire from international football but the Nigerian’s mind was made up even though it rules him out of League Cup semifinal against Aston Villa.
”I should be there for the team but I will be there spiritually,” Okocha said.
”The African Nations Cup is massive for us and it doesn’t really get the publicity it should.”
The debate over player availability even drew in Fifa chief Sepp Blatter.
”It cannot be acceptable to recruit such stars and then demand that they show disrespect to their countries if a tournament clashes with Premiership matches — particularly if they are part of the international coordinated calendar,” he said.
In comparison with France, English clubs have got off lightly.
Title chasers Paris St Germain could be deprived of five players — Algerian goalkeeper Mohamed Benhamou, Moroccan defender Talal El-Karkouri, midfielders Modeste Mbami of Cameroon and Selim Benachour of Tunisia as well as Nigerian striker Bartholomew Ogbeche.
”It will leave us with 15 pros in the championship and two goalkeepers,” said PSG coach Vahid Halihodzic. ”I could have problems putting 16 names on the match sheet.”
But not all of Africa’s top players have been seduced.
Inter Milan’s 19-year-old Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins prefers to stay in Italy.
”Going to the Nations Cup would be harmful to my career and I only want to think about my club.” — Sapa-AFP