When Premier League managers watched many of their star players depart for the World Cup in the middle of November, they would have had mixed emotions.
On one hand, there would have been a sense of pride in seeing them represent their respective nations, yet on the other, concern would have been setting in regarding their condition upon their return.
Mikel Arteta has already experienced that with Gabriel Jesus suffering a knee injury which has already ruled the Brazil forward out of the remainder of the tournament, and there is a scenario where a large chunk of Premier League players may require a rest after their participation reaches a conclusion.
For the players who have just bowed out at the last-16 stage, they now have some recuperation time before the Christmas and New Year period, something which will no doubt please their club bosses.
However, despite just eight teams still being involved in Qatar, as many as 61 players from England's top flight are still present in the Middle East.
Below, Sports Mole outlines which teams are still missing some high-profile players, and the clubs which are in line to enjoy a less-disrupted preparation period ahead of the EFL Cup ties between December 20 and 22, and the restart of the Premier League on Boxing Day.
ARSENAL:
William Saliba (France), Aaron Ramsdale (England), Bukayo Saka (England), Gabriel Martinelli (Brazil)
© Reuters
MANCHESTER CITY:
Nathan Ake (Netherlands), Julian Alvarez (Argentina), Kyle Walker (England), John Stones (England), Kalvin Phillips (England), Jack Grealish (England), Phil Foden (England), Ederson (Brazil), Ruben Dias (Portugal), Joao Cancelo (Portugal), Bernardo Silva (Portugal)
NEWCASTLE UNITED:
Nick Pope (England), Kieran Trippier (England), Callum Wilson (England), Bruno Guimaraes (Brazil)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR:
Cristian Romero (Argentina), Hugo Lloris (France), Eric Dier (England), Harry Kane (England), Ivan Perisic (Croatia), Richarlison (Brazil)
MANCHESTER UNITED:
Tyrell Malacia (Netherlands), Lisandro Martinez (Argentina), Raphael Varane (France), Luke Shaw (England), Harry Maguire (England), Marcus Rashford (England), Casemiro (Brazil), Fred (Brazil), Antony (Brazil), Diogo Dalot (Portugal), Bruno Fernandes (Portugal)
© Reuters
LIVERPOOL:
Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands), Ibrahima Konate (France), Trent Alexander-Arnold (England), Jordan Henderson (England), Alisson Becker (Brazil), Fabinho (Brazil)
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION:
Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina)
CHELSEA:
Conor Gallagher (England), Mason Mount (England), Raheem Sterling (England), Mateo Kovacic (Croatia), Thiago Silva (Brazil), Hakim Ziyech (Morocco)
© Reuters
FULHAM:
Joao Palhinha (Portugal)
BRENTFORD:
Zero.
CRYSTAL PALACE:
Zero.
ASTON VILLA:
Emiliano Martinez (Argentina)
LEICESTER CITY:
James Maddison (England)
BOURNEMOUTH:
Zero.
© Reuters
LEEDS UNITED:
Zero.
WEST HAM UNITED:
Alphonse Areola (France), Declan Rice (England), Lucas Paqueta (Brazil), Nayef Aguerd (Morocco)
EVERTON:
Jordan Pickford (England), Conor Coady (England)
NOTTINGHAM FOREST:
Zero.
SOUTHAMPTON:
Zero.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS:
Jose Sa (Portugal), Ruben Neves (Portugal), Matheus Nunes (Portugal)
