Injuries are part and parcel of professional sports but more often players recover after a while and start again. However, serious injuries can lead to surgeries and a long recovery time for players, leading them to miss almost entire seasons.
Due to the gruelling football calendar with the Premier League season beginning just after the Euros and the Copa America 2024, the 2024/25 Premier League season has seen far more serious injuries than usual due to the increased workload on certain players. In addition to club football, players also partake in the UEFA Nations League making the season even longer with far more games than earlier.
Here we take a look at the PL clubs who have suffered the most injuries and how it has affected their season so far –
Arsenal
Arsenal has had an unfortunate season with many of their big players suffering serious injuries which has either required surgery or a long recovery layoff.
Below are the players that are currently out for Arsenal –
- Takehiro Tomiyasu (Right-Back)
- Ben White (Right-Back)
- Bukayo Saka (Right winger)
- Gabriel Jesus (Centre Forward)
- Kai Havertz (Centre Forward)
- Gabriel Martinelli (Left-Winger)
With Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus having been ruled out for the season, Arsenal have massive issues in the forward line. Despite this, Arsenal have still performed well to still be in the title-race and the Champions League Round of 16. Ben White and Bukayo Saka’s imminent return would certainly give them a boost. However, having these many injuries has made their job far tougher. With the business end of the season approaching and Arsenal not having signed a striker or forward in the January Transfer window, these unfortunate injuries could prove fatal for the Gunners.
Bournemouth
The Cherries are another team that have been hit by numerous injuries this season. In mid-January, Head Coach Andoni Iraola literally had only 13 squad players to choose from in games.
Below are the players that are currently out for Bournemouth –
- Enes Ünal (Centre-forward)
- Alex Scott (Midfielder)
- Luis Sinisterra (Left winger)
- Marcos Senesi (Centre-Back)
- Julián Araujo (Right-Back)
- Adam Smith (Right-Back)
- Evanilson (Centre-Forward)
- James Hill (Centre-Back)
Bournemouth are currently in seventh position in the league table with European aspirations of their own. Despite the numerous injuries, the Cherries have consistently punched above their weight, upsetting top clubs like Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United at home this season. They have issues in all areas of the pitch but with players like Justin Kluivert, Milos Kerkez, Antoine Semenyo, Dean Huijsen and Ryan Christie performing exceptionally well, Bournemouth have posed a threat for every opponent they have faced.
With a busy schedule ahead, it will take top effort from them to keep their key players fit and secure a spot in European competition by the end of the season.
Chelsea
Under new coach Enzo Maresca, Chelsea started the season in unexpected fashion, just being four points off first-placed Liverpool in mid-December but they have seen a massive drop-off since then. Loss of form and injuries to key players has affected their young side.
Below are the players that are out for Chelsea currently –
- David Datro Fofana (Centre-Forward)
- Wesley Fofana (Centre-Back)
- Benoît Badiashile (Centre-Back)
- Nicolas Jackson (Centre-Forward)
- Roméo Lavia (Midfielder)
- Marc Guiu (Centre-Forward)
Even after spending more than £1 Billion on transfers in the past two to three seasons, Chelsea hasn’t performed up to the expected level, ending the past two seasons outside of the Top 4. This season would be considered as an abject failure if they fail to qualify for the Champions League after probably having built the best quality squad.
Indifferent form coupled with their main striker Nicolas Jackson out until April and crucial players missing in defence, the going just got so much tougher for Chelsea.
Manchester City
The defending champions Manchester City have suffered with massive injuries to their players this season which has impacted their form and derailed their season to a large extent.
Below are the players that are currently out for Manchester City –
- Rodri (Midfielder)
- Nico González (Midfielder)
- Manuel Akanji (Centre-Back)
Even though City’s injury concerns have been mostly dealt with except for Rodri, recurrent injuries to Kevin De Bruyne, Nathan Aké, Rúben Dias and John Stones over the season has also impacted their performances. As a result, they are 16 points off the top of the table and trailing Real Madrid in the Champions League play-offs as well.
It’s never easy when clubs miss their most influential players who can single-handedly win them games. Their recent thrashing by Arsenal in the PL and home loss to Real Madrid in the CL Playoffs showed that they are still off the pace. With a 16-point gap from the top, The PL title race is realistically over for them but with 14 games to go, they would have to play stronger to ensure CL qualification for next season.
Newcastle United
Newcastle United have also had their fair share of injuries that has led to an inconsistent form. The Magpies had achieved Champions League football two seasons back and having a decent squad and no distraction of European football implied that Newcastle could achieve the same this season as well. However, Injuries have played a major part in their topsy-turvy season.
Below are the players that are currently out for Newcastle United –
- Jamal Lascelles (Centre-Back)
- Harvey Barnes (Left-Winger)
- Sven Botman (Centre-Back)
- Joelinton (Midfielder)
- Anthony Gordon (Left-Winger)
- Dan Burn (Centre-Back)
- Jamal Lewis (Left-Back)
Apart from the current injuries, Newcastle suffered in mid-season due to injuries to crucial players that affected their performances. With minor injuries remaining now, the Magpies have shown a decent run of form and are currently in sixth spot, two-points off Top 4. In addition, they have also managed to reach the finals of the League Cup.
With injury issues behind them and a comparatively easier fixture schedule, the Geordies can go on a run at this business end and help themselves to a Top 4 position. However, it will also depend a lot on the fitness of their key players and the performances of the other Top 4 aspirants.
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur have had a nightmare of a season when it comes to injuries. Spurs started the season quite well but it has been completely blown apart due to massive injuries to their players.
Below are the players currently out for Spurs –
- Wilson Odobert (Right-winger)
- Guglielmo Vicario (Goalkeeper)
- Christian Romero (Centre-Back)
- Radu Dr?gu?in (Centre-Back)
- Destiny Udogie (Left-Back)
- Timo Werner (Left-Winger)
- Dominic Solanke (Centre-Forward)
- Brennan Johnson (Right-Winger)
- Mickey van de Ven (Centre-Back)
- James Maddison (Midfielder)
- Richarlison (Centre-forward)
Seven of these aforementioned players are first-team players that are out of the Spurs lineup right now. Unfortunately, even some of their replacements are also injured. These many injuries can definitely derail a team’s season and Spurs have been no exception. They are currently lying in the 14th position in the league table with 13 losses this season.
They are still in with a chance in the Europa League but are terribly out of form. If Spurs want to salvage something this season, they need to have most of these players back as soon as possible.
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