From the Premier League’s elite to the soggy pitches of Sunday league, accidents are half and parcel of soccer – however which top-flight groups have been worst affected this season?
With assist from damage professional Ben Dinnery, of , BBC Sport examines which sides have been hit the toughest, the influence accidents can have on under-fire managers – and whether or not issues are at all times as dangerous as they appear.
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Who has been most affected?
Tottenham ahead Dejan Kulusevki has not performed since Could due to damage [Getty Images]
It’s Friday lunchtime and Premier League media conferences are in full swing – then information emerges a key participant has been dominated out of a vital sport due to damage.
Whereas this can be a acquainted story for each supervisor, the info exhibits some groups have been affected considerably greater than others this season – together with under-pressure Tottenham boss Thomas Frank.
Premier Accidents assesses each the variety of days misplaced to damage by first-team squads, together with the overall tally of accidents which have dominated any given participant out of not less than one league match – eliminating information for semi-fit gamers who could also be rested for a home cup sport.
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When combining each elements, Spurs are among the many Premier League’s worst-hit sides this season.
Tottenham have had 19 separate accidents in whole – the joint-most of any membership alongside Arsenal, Chelsea and Leeds – whereas they’ve additionally misplaced the second-most variety of days to damage, behind solely Newcastle.
Frank’s facet are presently lacking seven first-team gamers due to damage, together with Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison who’re each but to characteristic this season.
Whereas the Dane has understandably come below strain for a practical fashion of play, accidents in assault have been a contributing issue.
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Tottenham’s head coach, nonetheless, has not confronted as many health issues as predecessor Ange Postecoglou did at this stage of final season.
After 22 match rounds in 2024-25, Tottenham had already amassed 25 separate accidents and misplaced 707 days to damage – each comfortably the best tallies of any membership at the moment – as their squad tailored to Postecoglou’s high-octane method.
Fewer accidents – however ‘extra severe’
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is but to play in 2025-26 due to a hamstring damage sustained in pre-season [Getty Images]
Tottenham are removed from alone in scuffling with accidents, and ones to key gamers, this season.
Newcastle have misplaced essentially the most days of any membership to damage, and Eddie Howe’s squad has been stretched as they proceed to compete on 4 fronts.
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Consequently, the Magpies’ away type specifically has been badly affected, with Howe’s facet successful simply twice on the highway within the league this season.
Leaders Arsenal have additionally been among the many greatest victims of the quantity of days misplaced to damage, and whole variety of accidents.
Nonetheless, their squad depth has managed to mitigate a lot of the influence – with the Gunners high of each the home standings and the Champions League league section.
Amongst groups in the direction of the underside of the Premier League, Nottingham Forest and Leeds United have been essentially the most badly hit.
Collectively, England’s high flight has misplaced 2,157 days fewer to damage than in comparison with the identical stage final season – though the severity of sure frequent accidents seems to be rising when analyzing information throughout an entire season.
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In response to Premier Accidents, occurrences of hamstring accidents dropped by 23% in 2024-25, however 60% of these accidents required a minimal of 30 days to get well – the best ratio since they started recording such information in 2010.
‘Gamers below strain to play’ – evaluation
The panorama has modified massively since we started recording this information and accidents at the moment are one of many important matters of debate – in the identical manner xG has turn out to be a part of the mainstream dialog.
We’re working in a league that’s thought-about essentially the most intense and dynamic, and that’s mirrored within the statistical evaluation of sprints and excessive depth runs, but in addition lessening restoration instances.
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You then throw within the soccer calendar and they’re coming collectively to create an setting the place gamers are being pushed, and generally damaged, as a result of they don’t seem to be bodily able to tolerating these calls for.
What everybody needs to now know is ‘when will a participant be again?’ And we’re seeing gamers dashing to get again after which some re-injuries as a result of pressures regarding that.
There may be additionally plenty of analysis to help a change of administration as having an influence on damage – inherently you will note an increase within the variety of accidents below a brand new regime, which will be as a result of totally different calls for and a change in philosophy.
Dropping key gamers at key instances
Aston Villa midfielder Boubacar Kamara sustained a second severe knee damage prior to now two years towards Tottenham earlier this month [Getty Images]
Evaluating accidents between groups boasting totally different budgets and managing totally different priorities stays a subjective process – whereas the timing of these accidents, and the positions during which they happen, can have a huge effect on groups’ and managers’ fortunes.
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Arsenal, for instance, have suffered with accidents this season, however Mikel Arteta’s facet presently have simply three gamers out – the joint-lowest variety of any group – at a vital juncture of the season, with the added benefit of with the ability to purchase within the January switch window.
Aston Villa, conversely, have had accidents to 3 central midfielders in current weeks, together with a severe knee problem for Boubacar Kamara, which might doubtlessly compromise their skill to compete for the title.
Bournemouth have already sustained 17 accidents in a tough season for head coach Andoni Iraola – the second-most of any group.
The Cherries are presently lacking an unrivalled eight gamers and are additionally having to regulate after the sale of star ahead Antoine Semenyo to Manchester Metropolis.
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Liverpool have endured fixed choice issues at full-back, Manchester Metropolis have confronted damage points in central defence – albeit considerably addressed by the acquisition of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi.
Everton have simply loss England worldwide Jack Grealish to a severe foot damage, whereas golf equipment battling relegation comparable to West Ham and Leeds presently have low numbers of accidents to take care of – however smaller squads with which to deal with any absences.
When and the way sure gamers will return is more likely to have a major influence on a membership’s fortunes this season – simply ask Tottenham boss Frank.
After striker Dominic Solanke scored in Tuesday’s Champions League win towards Borussia Dortmund – his first begin in eight months due to damage – Frank mentioned: “I am very glad that we received the sport – for varied causes.”