In the current Premier League season, an alarming number of hamstring injuries have already been recorded, signaling a bigger issue in football.
With more than 100 hamstring-related injuries so far, the strain on players is becoming increasingly evident.
Many top managers, including Mikel Arteta and Ange Postecoglou, have voiced concerns over the physical toll of modern football, and now, the data backs up these worries.
Hamstring Injuries Surge in Premier League This Season
Hamstring injuries, typically caused by overstretched muscles from high-speed running or fatigue, have become a prominent issue in the Premier League.
Last season, there were 163 cases of these injuries, marking a significant increase of 25% compared to the average of the past few years.
As of now, the Premier League has already seen 100 hamstring injuries in the current season, with nearly a third of the campaign still remaining.
A Growing Trend of Serious Injuries
One of the most troubling aspects of this rise in injuries is the severity of them.
In the previous season, more than half of the 163 hamstring injuries resulted in players being sidelined for over a month, and the numbers are similarly grim this year.
As of now, 51 of the 100 hamstring injuries have kept players out for 30 days or more. This trend is worrying, with several players needing surgery, including notable names like Joe Gomez, Bukayo Saka, and Kai Havertz.
The Physical Demands of Premier League Football
Ben Dinnery, the founder of Premier Injuries, points out that the physical demands placed on Premier League players are unlike any other.
Players are expected to cover more ground at higher speeds with less recovery time between matches, making them more vulnerable to injuries.
Once a player suffers a hamstring injury, they are at a higher risk of repeating the problem, which has been evident this season, with players like Callum Wilson, Micky van de Ven, and Bukayo Saka all suffering from multiple hamstring injuries.
The Role of Increasing Game Intensity
The increase in hamstring injuries can also be attributed to the ever-growing intensity of the game.
Last season, Premier League players covered over 52,000 miles combined, running at faster speeds and sprinting more often than in previous years. The speed of the game has increased, and with it, the strain on players’ bodies.
As the intensity ramps up, the injury toll follows suit, especially for players frequently under pressure.
Player Welfare Under Threat: A Growing Concern
Maheta Molango, CEO of the Professional Footballers Association (PFA), has echoed concerns about the unsustainable physical demands placed on players.
He argues that the increasing number of injuries is not only affecting the players’ health but also the financials of clubs and the quality of the game.
With key players missing important matches due to injury, the competition becomes less about skill and more about which team can keep their players fit.
The Growing Use of Technology in Injury Prevention
With player welfare now in focus, many clubs are turning to technology to help prevent injuries before they occur.
Liverpool, for example, has been using AI technology from Zone7 to monitor fitness data and predict when injuries might happen.
Arsenal and Crystal Palace are also relying on similar systems to manage player workloads and medical information, hoping that technology can help keep their stars in top condition.
The Impact of Fixture Congestion on Player Health
While technology can play a role in reducing injuries, there is still the issue of fixture congestion.
The sheer number of matches players are required to play in such a short period is a major contributing factor to their physical breakdown.
Arteta, Postecoglou, and other managers have all noted that the physical toll of playing multiple games a week with minimal recovery time is unsustainable.
Tottenham’s Injury Crisis: A Case Study
Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham has been a prime example of how an intense playing style can contribute to injury problems.
The number of hamstring injuries at the club has risen sharply this season, from 12% last season to around 40% this year.
Postecoglou has now acknowledged that his team’s high-intensity playing style may be contributing to their growing injury list.
Recent matches show a slight reduction in their sprinting frequency, suggesting that the manager is adapting to the reality of the situation.
A Necessary Change for Player Welfare
As the Premier League continues to push players to their limits, something must change.
Whether it’s reducing the number of fixtures or altering the intensity of play, the current model is proving to be damaging to the athletes.
If the trend of rising injuries continues, the long-term health of players and the quality of the sport could be at risk.