Premier League Injury Crisis: Key Players Absent as European Competitions Return

Injuries continue to plague Premier League squads as the winter break becomes a distant memory. The recent AFCON and Asian Cup tournaments have further depleted squads at the start of 2024. With the return of European competitions, almost every club is grappling with the absence of key players.

Last September, Burnley boss Vincent Kompany proposed a radical solution to reduce injuries by limiting players to 60 games per season. Kompany argued that capping appearances would alleviate the strain on top footballers who also have international and other club commitments. However, it seems unlikely that Kompany's suggestion will be implemented, as both UEFA and FIFA are focused on expanding tournaments.

To provide an overview of the current injury situation in the Premier League, a list of injured players sorted by club has been compiled. Please note that the data is sourced from Premier Injuries and Transfermarkt as of 16/02/2024. While efforts have been made to accurately identify injury-related absences, some cases may have been missed.

Arsenal

• Jurrien Timber (Knee, April 2024)
• Thomas Partey (Thigh, February 2024)
• Oleksandr Zinchenko (Calf, February 2024)
• Emile Smith Rowe (Ankle, February 2024)
• Takehiro Tomiyasu (Other, February 2024)
• Fabio Vieira (Thigh, February 2024)
• Gabriel Jesus (Knee, February 2024)

Aston Villa

• Boubacar Kamara (Knee, November 2024)
• Emiliano Buendia (Knee, June 2024)
• Tyrone Mings (Knee, June 2024)
• Jhon Duran (Other, April 2024)
• Ezri Konsa (Knee, March 2024)
• Diego Carlos (Thigh, N/A)

Bournemouth

• James Hill (Ankle, March 2024)
• Tyler Adams (Thigh, March 2024)
• Romain Faivre (Illness, February 2024)
• Ryan Fredericks (Calf, N/A)
• Max Aarons (Thigh, N/A)

Brentford

• Rico Henry (Knee, June 2024)
• Bryan Mbeumo (Ankle, March 2024)
• Aaron Hickey (Thigh, February 2024)
• Kevin Schade (Groin, February 2024)
• Joshua Dasilva (Knee, N/A)

Brighton

• Solly March (Knee, May 2024)
• Jack Hinshelwood (Ankle, May 2024)
• James Milner (Thigh, February 2024)
• Julio Enciso (Knee, February 2024)
• Joao Pedro (Thigh, N/A)

Burnley

• Nathan Redmond (Thigh, June 2024)
• Lyle Foster (Other, May 2024)
• Luka Koleosho (Knee, May 2024)
• Jordan Beyer (Thigh, March 2024)
• Charlie Taylor (Shoulder, February 2024)

Chelsea

• Wesley Fofana (Knee, June 2024)
• Reece James (Thigh, March 2024)
• Benoit Badiashile (Groin, March 2024)
• Romeo Lavia (Thigh, March 2024)
• Marc Cucurella (Ankle, March 2024)
• Malo Gusto (Other, February 2024)
• Robert Sanchez (Knee, February 2024)
• Thiago Silva (Groin, N/A)
• Lesley Ugochukwu (Thigh, N/A)

Crystal Palace

• Cheick Doucoure (Calf, June 2024)
• Rob Holding (Ankle, May 2024)
• Michael Olise (Thigh, April 2024)
• Eberechi Eze (Thigh, February 2024)
• Marc Guehi (Knee, February 2024)
• Will Hughes (Ankle, February 2024)
• Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (Thigh, N/A)

Everton

• Arnaut Danjuma (Ankle, March 2024)
• Ben Godfrey (Illness, February 2024)
• Abdoulaye Doucoure (Thigh, February 2024)
• Dele (Groin, N/A)
• Andre Gomes (Calf, N/A)

Fulham

• Raul Jimenez (Thigh, March 2024)
• Kenny Tete (Calf, February 2024)
• Tosin Adarabioyo (Other, February 2024)

Liverpool

• Joel Matip (Knee, September 2024)
• Trent Alexander-Arnold (Knee, March 2024)
• Dominik Szoboszlai (Thigh, February 2024)
• Allison (Illness, February 2024)
• Joe Gomez (Illness, February 2024)
• Mohamed Salah (Thigh, February 2024)
• Thiago Alcantara (Other, N/A)
• Stefan Bajcetic (Other, N/A)

Luton Town

• Marvelous Nakamba (Knee, May 2024)
• Mads Andersen (Calf, February 2024)
• Tom Lockyer (Chest, N/A)

Manchester City

• Josko Gvardiol (Ankle, March 2024)
• Jack Grealish (Groin, March 2024)
• Mateo Kovacic (Knee, February 2024)
• Bernardo Silva (Ankle, February 2024)
• Sergio Gomez (Other, February 2024)

Manchester United

• Lisandro Martinez (Knee, April 2024)
• Anthony Martial (Groin, March 2024)
• Tyrell Malacia (Knee, March 2024)
• Mason Mount (Calf, March 2024)
• Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Other, March 2024)
• Luke Shaw (Other, February 2024)

Newcastle United

• Callum Wilson (Chest, May 2024)
• Joelinton (Thigh, May 2024)
• Nick Pope (Shoulder, April 2024)
• Matt Targett (Thigh, March 2024)
• Elliot Anderson (Lower Back, March 2024)
• Joe Willock (Calf, February 2024)
• Alexander Isak (Groin, February 2024)
• Jacob Murphy (Calf, February 2024)

Nottingham Forest

• Chris Wood (Thigh, March 2024)
• Gonzalo Montiel (Thigh, March 2024)

Sheffield United

• Chris Basham (Ankle, June 2024)
• John Egan (Ankle, March 2024)
• Ollie McBurnie (Calf, February 2024)
• Ben Brereton Diaz (Thigh, February 2024)
• Gustavo Hamer (Thigh, February 2024)
• George Baldock (Other, February 2024)
• Ivo Grbic (Head, February 2024)
• Rhys Norrington-Davies (Thigh, N/A)
• Daniel Jebbison (Illness, N/A)

Tottenham

• Destiny Udogie (Other, February 2024)
• Pedro Porro (Other, February 2024)
• Giovani Lo Celso (Thigh, February 2024)
• Manor Soloman (Knee, N/A)
• Ryan Sessegnon (Thigh, N/A)

West Ham United

• Michail Antonio (Knee, February 2024)
• Lucas Paqueta (Calf, February 2024)

Wolves

• Hwang Hee-chan (Calf, February 2024)
• Matheus Cunha (Thigh, N/A)