With the World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico ending on Sunday, Premier League clubs have just 33 days before the new season begins – and no side has felt the strain more than Manchester City. Opta data shows City’s squad have logged 5,027 minutes at the tournament, the highest of any top-flight club. Rodri alone played 537 minutes for Spain, while centre-back Marc Guehi added 483 and defender Nico O’Reilly 454 for England. Elliot Anderson, who is moving from Nottingham Forest to the Etihad, contributed a further 533 minutes for the Three Lions.
Arsenal sit second on the workload chart with 4,285 minutes. William Saliba played 450 for France, and England trio Declan Rice (386), Noni Madueke (288) and Bukayo Saka (267) all exceeded 250. Liverpool, Aston Villa and Manchester United each recorded more than 2,500 minutes; Brentford managed just over 600.
“Manchester City top Premier League World Cup minutes; injuries mount as transfer deals accelerate with season looming.”
The injury list has grown steadily. Villa midfielder Amadou Onana ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament during Belgium’s 4-1 win over the USA, the most serious setback. Manchester United’s Manuel Ugarte also saw his tournament end early after a knee problem during the group stage with Uruguay. Jordan Henderson broke his arm celebrating England’s win over Mexico but stayed with Thomas Tuchel’s squad. Andy Robertson was forced off against Brazil with a suspected right ankle injury and was seen with ice strapped around it. “Personally, time will tell,” the left-back, who moved from Liverpool to Tottenham this summer, told the BBC. Reece James, who featured for England against Norway, continued to manage his hamstring injury.
As clubs regroup, the transfer window is heating up. Manchester United confirmed the £50m arrival of Andrey Santos from Chelsea, while manager Michael Carrick’s side have also made a move for Aston Villa’s Youri Tielemans. Villa hijacked Newcastle’s deal for Freiburg’s Johan Manzambi, the World Cup breakout star, after the Magpies had agreed terms. Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso held his first press conference, saying Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez still have a future at Stamford Bridge but that Alejandro Garnacho does not. Elsewhere, Leandro Trossard has agreed a move to Besiktas.
Seven Arsenal players could face up to 65 matches this season, combining their 57-game domestic campaign with eight World Cup appearances. For Manchester City and Chelsea, some players have now competed in three consecutive summer tournaments. The question is how much fuel is left in the tank.