Overview
- Across Europe’s top five leagues, 22,596 injuries over five seasons cost clubs about £2.97bn, with Premier League teams accounting for 24% of injuries but more than £1bn of the wage bill.
- Manchester United incurred the highest five-year cost among Premier League clubs at roughly £154.5–£155m from 399 injuries, with Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City above the league average.
- Chelsea recorded 23 injuries from June to October, including seven during the U.S.-staged Club World Cup, a 44% rise year on year and an estimated £17m wage cost through October.
- Howden says the expanded Club World Cup has had a minimal impact on overall injury numbers so far, though it cautions that any delayed effects may surface later in the season.
- Injuries last season fell to 958 in the Premier League with an estimated £250m cost, but the study highlights a near 30% rise in severity, with under-21 players suffering disproportionately severe layoffs.