Manchester City's 2022-23 season may have only finished in glorious circumstances a matter of weeks ago but already attention is turning to the new campaign.
Pep Guardiola's side created history when they won the coveted Treble of the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup this year. The Blues will now seek to add further silverware to the cabinet over the next 12 months.
City will be playing in the Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup next term and Guardiola will need to add players in the transfer window to ensure he has a squad that can compete on multiple fronts in what is going to be a congested calendar. The Blues have proved time and again that they have a succession plan when it comes to squad changes and they will need to factor in the Africa Cup of Nations in their 2023-24 planning.
Forward Riyad Mahrez will be at the tournament after helping Algeria secure their spot in the finals. The City man is the captain of his national team and five wins from five in their qualifying group have given them top spot and a place in the Ivory Coast next winter.
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Algeria will be among the favourites to lift the crown and should they reach the final, Mahrez could be absent for five City matches. The competition was initially slated to be played in the summer months but was moved due to the continent's heat and now starts on January 13 with the showpiece on February 11.
City are scheduled to visit Newcastle United on January 13 in their first league game since the re-introduced Premier League winter break. Games against Burnley and Everton at home and Brentford away also take place during the African tournament, while City could also have a fourth round FA Cup fixture. The third round takes place a week before the Africa Cup of Nations and it is feasible Mahrez could miss that match to travel to the tournament for preparation and build-up.
City won't be the only Premier League club impacted with Egypt having also qualified meaning Liverpool's Mohamed Salah could be absent for a similar length of time while a host of other top-flight teams will likely have stars at the tournament with Morocco, Nigeria and hosts Ivory Coast among the sides already guaranteed to be taking part.
