Premier League clubs worst-hit by Paris Olympics with Chelsea and Man City losing stars

MANCHESTER CITY and Chelsea are both set to lose two players to the Olympics.

With just a seven days to go before the football event starts, the 16 nations involved have released their squads.

Reuters

Julian Alvarez is set to lead the line for Argentina[/caption]

Getty

Getty

Jean-Philippe Mateta has also been called-up to the French squad[/caption]

The gold medal match is scheduled for August 10 at PSG’s stadium Parc des Princes.

That’s just a week before the Premier League returns, meaning several players will miss a large chunk of pre-season and possibly be unavailable for the first match.

In total, nine Prem stars will feature at the Olympics this summer.

Man City see Julian Alvarez heading off with Argentina.

Chelsea are also losing two players in USA keeper Gabriel Slonina and France’s Lesley Ugochukwu.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta will lead the line for Les Bleus.

Wolves pair Boubacar Traore of Mali and Enso Gonzalez of Paraguay are both set to play in France.

Gonzalez will be joined by Brighton ace Julio Enciso.

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And New Zealand have called up young duo Alex Paulsen of Bournemouth and Ipswich’s Henry Gray.

Other big name players battling it out for gold in Paris include PSG’s Achraf Hakimi for Morocco, Argentina’s ex-City star Nicolas Otamendi and former Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny for Egypt.

Spain have an impressive squad, starring Barcelona wonderkid Pau Cubarsi and Chelsea transfer target Samu Omorodion.

Host nation France managed by Thierry Henry are the favourites.

He has also called up the likes of Michael Olise and Alexandre Lacazette to the squad.

Players must be under 23 years old to qualify for selection – unless they are one of three over age stars chosen.