Premier League injury fallout: How clubs return bruised from the World Cup

The World Cup ended with Spanish celebrations, but several Premier League clubs now count a heavier cost. An impact index from Sky Sports ranks Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Manchester United among the most affected sides.

Manchester City sent the most players, yet they mostly escaped serious injury. Consequently, five names now define this rocky return to pre-season, and their absences will shape the opening weeks significantly.

Here are the Premier League clubs most affected.

Arsenal lose William Saliba just before the season

William Saliba suffered a back injury during France’s semi-final loss to Spain. Doctors ruled out surgery, but they still expect an extended layoff. Consequently, Arsenal’s impact index score sits highest among Premier League clubs.

Gabriel must now anchor the defence alone. Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta opens the title defence with a genuine gap at centre-back.

Aston Villa face life without Amadou Onana

Amadou Onana tore his ACL while playing for Belgium at the tournament. Surgeons expect six to nine months of recovery. Therefore, Unai Emery loses his primary midfield destroyer for most of the season.

Villa already carried a heavy World Cup workload, since Emi Martinez played more minutes than anyone in the league. This setback compounds an already difficult pre-season.

Manchester United absorb two fresh blows

Manuel Ugarte suffered ligament damage similar to Onana’s before Uruguay’s group-stage exit. Meanwhile, new signing Youri Tielemans missed Belgium’s quarter-final with a hamstring injury.

Consequently, Michael Carrick inherits two injured midfielders before pre-season. United sit third on the impact index, and neither issue helps their rebuild. In fact, with Ugarte’s injury, the club might not sign a big-name midfielder due to the Uruguayan staying.

Manchester City and Liverpool escape the worst of it

Rodri played every minute of Spain’s triumphant run and claimed the Golden Ball. However, he still needs back surgery before the new season begins. Despite that setback, City’s overall injury toll stays remarkably light.

Liverpool, on the other hand, had two players in the final, new signing Victor Munoz and Alexis Mac Allister, but both came through unscathed. Much like the rest of their World Cup participants.