Premier League players under 21 are facing longer injury spells than ever, with a notable increase in knee injuries, according to a new study.
Data from Howden’s 'Men's European Football Injury Index' highlights similar trends across Europe’s top leagues. This comes at a time when club and international schedules are under scrutiny, with many players expressing concerns that packed calendars are compromising their health.
James Burrows, head of sport at Howden, pointed to the "ever-increasing physical demands" on players as a key factor in the rise of injuries. He noted that as fixture congestion grows due to expanded competitions, more players are being sidelined for longer periods.
The players’ union, Fifpro, echoes these concerns. Their 2024 Player Workload Monitoring Report found that 78% of coaches and 72% of players support implementing guaranteed rest periods in the calendar.
The report highlighted how England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham played 251 competitive matches before turning 21, while former England captain David Beckham played just 54 at the same age.
The Professional Footballers' Association noted that some players feel they are being pushed beyond their physical limits. "Players are taking on this workload at a younger age than ever, playing more minutes," a PFA spokesperson said. "Football's calendar needs to prioritize player welfare, especially for young athletes, to ensure they have long and successful careers."
In the latest report, the average time Premier League under-21 players spent injured rose significantly from 26.5 days in the previous season to nearly 44 days this year. Overall, days lost to injury increased from 901 to 2,240, and the number of injuries jumped from 34 to 51.
The report also revealed a troubling rise in knee injuries across Europe’s top leagues, reaching 367 cases in the 2023-24 season, up from 333 the year before. While the average time sidelined for knee injuries slightly decreased, it remains significantly higher than in previous seasons.
Financially, injuries are becoming increasingly costly. The 915 injuries recorded during the 2023-24 Premier League season have cost clubs approximately €318.8 million (£265.6 million), a rise from the previous year’s €288.55 million (£240.4 million). Injuries are now occurring every 94 minutes of play, costing clubs over £3,000 per minute.
With the rise in injury concerns, players are speaking out against congested schedules. Recently, Europe’s top leagues and Fifpro filed a legal complaint against FIFA, alleging "abuse of dominance" in scheduling. They argue that FIFA’s decision to hold the new 32-team Club World Cup next summer, during what should be a rest period, disregards players' well-being.
FIFA, in response, stated that it consulted with Fifpro and other leagues about the changes to the international match calendar. They also accused some leagues of "hypocrisy" regarding their own scheduling practices.
Players like Manchester City’s Rodri have even suggested that strike action could be a consideration, especially after he suffered a season-ending injury shortly after voicing these concerns. Bellingham also noted the toll that the current schedule takes, saying, “It’s difficult on the body mentally and physically you are exhausted.”
