Asian Internationals in the Premier League: Lost to the Asian Cup in January?

There are currently six Asian International footballers plying their trade in the English Premier League. Of these, three hail from four-time Asian Cup winners Japan. Another two come from the 1956 and 1960 Asian Cup winners South Korea, with the final Asian EPL player representing Iran, winners of the trophy three times in a row between 1968 and 1976.

With the latest edition of the Asian Cup scheduled to start on 12 January, these six players could each miss up to four Premier League matches each, and their clubs will certainly miss their presence.
Let's look at these players and their importance to their English clubs and to their countries, beginning with the Japanese contingent.

When betting opens for the Asian Cup in Qatar, you can be sure Japan's favourite British bookmakers will offer the best odds on the reigning champions and hosts Qatar, Japan, South Korea, Iran, and all the other potential tournament winners. Japan will be among the nations vying for the title, and its three EPL representatives will likely play an important role in any success that comes its way.

Liverpool's defensive midfielder Wataru Endō will lead Japan in Qatar. Although a backup member of the Anfield squad, the Reds will miss the 30-year-old's experience from the substitute's bench during his absence. With 55 Japanese caps, the captain will play a pivotal role in Japan's quest for a record-extending fifth Asian Cup title.

So will the other two Japanese players probably travelling from the UK for the tournament. Takehiro Tomiyasu has quickly become a regular part of Arsenal's defensive cog as they mount another challenge to Man City's EPL title dominance. The 1.87 m central defender has already played 11 league games for the Gunners this season, and his employers will miss him should Japan progress deep into the Asian Cup as expected.

It hasn't taken Kaoru Mitoma long to become a favourite with Brighton & Hove Albion fans or manager Roberto De Zerbi. With three goals in 11 Premier League appearances this term, the speedy left-winger will leave a gaping hole in Brighton's attack while away with Japan. After missing the recent Asian World Cup qualifiers through injury, Japanese manager Hajime Moriyasu will be keen to have Mitoma available for Qatar.

Like the Japanese Premier League players, their club sides regularly utilise their English-based South Korean duo. Both Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers will be poorer without them.

Son Heung-min is not only Ange Postecoglou's primary source of goals since Harry Kane left for Bayern Munich, but he's also assumed the captaincy role. With Spurs currently ravaged by injury, the Australian manager will hope that some of those absentees return before Son leaves for Qatar. Either way, the elite Asian forward, with over 150 goals for club and country, will be Tottenham's loss and South Korea's gain.

Without the depth in his squad that many other EPL teams possess, Wolves' Gary O'Neil will rue the loss of Hwang Hee-chan, his ever-present wide stalwart. Hwang has netted seven times in 13 Premier League games for Wolves this term, a whopping 39% of their total goals scored. He'll likely miss the matches against Brighton, Man Utd and Chelsea while away in Qatar. If Hwang carries his form into the Asian Cup, South Korea will be difficult to beat.

Last but not least, Iran's sole EPL representative is a valuable squad member of his club side, Brentford. Although recently used more from the sub's bench, Saman Ghoddos is a versatile, predominantly right-sided player who can fill positions from wide defender to striker. He's appeared eight times in the Premier League this season and amassed 40 caps for Iran since 2017, after initially representing Sweden.