Enzo Maresca and his backroom team will be keen to tackle a significant problem that cost a whopping £30million last season. After a period of heavy spending, underperformance and often outright humiliation since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took the reins in 2022, the Blues are showing signs of turning things around.
Going into the international break, Maresca's squad sat fourth in the Premier League, just four points adrift of Sunday's opponents and early frontrunners Liverpool. To maintain a credible Champions League challenge, Maresca will be eager to dodge the injury issues that plagued the club both on and off the pitch in 2023/24.
According to the Men's European Football Injury Index, compiled by global insurance intermediary group Howden, Chelsea had the highest average cost in the Premier League £540,000 per injury and the second-highest overall cost at £30.22m. The cost is determined by multiplying the daily base salary of the injured player by the number of days they were sidelined due to injury.
bore the biggest brunt of any Premier League team for injuries, with costs totalling £39.81million. The report revealed that Erik ten Hag's side endured 75 instances of injury throughout the campaign, second only to Newcastle with 76.
Champions suffered 57 injuries, costing them £27m. The Premier League shouldered a staggering 44% of injury costs among Europe's top five leagues, with its clubs' hefty salaries driving the English division's injury expenses to £265.8m out of a total £610.2m.
That marked a 5% surge from the 2022/23 figures, while injuries across these leagues increased by 4%, totalling 4,123 cases. Chelsea, in particular, have been grappling with injury woes, consistently recording above-average numbers for the past four seasons. The club will want to address the problem as they look to keep pace with the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and City.
James Burrows, the head of sport at Howden, highlighted the growing physical strain on footballers, saying: "As fixture congestion intensifies with expanded competitions domestically and internationally, we are seeing more players sidelined for longer periods, with a notable five per cent rise in injury costs this season alone.
"Our data captures the demands of modern football and we hope it serves as a valuable tool for players, clubs and governing bodies in their ongoing discussions."
Chelsea have availability issues ahead of Sunday's trip to Anfield, with Reece James still out of action - although the defender has returned to training - while Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella are both suspended.
You may also like
Israeli Airstrikes Rock Beirut Amid Growing Tensions
Parents fuming as school sends 'smart' looking girls home because of their skirts
Serena Williams undergoes surgery after finding lump the size of a 'small grapefruit'
Newcastle explosion: Neighbours crying in the street as true devastation of blast unveiled
Son whose mum left letter after taking own life issues plea for those against assisted dying
Missing Victoria Taylor's friend makes heartbreaking eight-word plea as hunt enters day 16
UAE: Camping in the desert? What to do if you see snakes, scorpions
Newly weds Adnaan Shaikh, Ayesha jet off for their first Umrah
Delhi HC denies interim relief to former Ebix CEO Robin Raina
No food, no water: Man survives 2 months lost at sea, loses half his weight
Blackpink's Lisa Grabs Eyeballs In Sultry Outfits At Victoria's Secret Fashion Show (Photos)
Save up to 33% on Retro Smegs perfect for whizzing up this great blended coffee recipe
Poundland launching new loyalty scheme and shoppers can earn points when they spend
Yogi govt's new plan: Enhanced monitoring of housing, industrial, and commercial projects
Cyclonic Depression To Cross Coast Near Chennai Tomorrow Morning; Check Forecast For Odisha
Sharjah's popular Meliha milk now available in Dubai
'I lived in Playboy Mansion – dog poo was everywhere and Hugh Hefner's act disgusted me'
BJP files complaint to probe 'illegal' construction at Delhi CM's house
Diogo Jota and Andy Robertson handed national media verdicts including brutal 4/10 ratings
JMM wants to form govt by distributing 'Rewari': Former J'khand CM