Premier League clubs have paid out a staggering sum of more than £1.2 billion in wages to sidelined players over the last five seasons, according to a major new industry report.
The Billion-Pound Injury Crisis
The fifth Men’s European Football Injury Index from insurance giant Howden, published on Tuesday 16 December 2025, lays bare the enormous financial toll of injuries on English football's elite. The analysis covers the period from the start of the 2020-21 campaign.
During this half-decade, 5,367 injuries were recorded in the top flight. The cost in salaries paid to injured players equates to a quarter of all matchday revenue generated by the clubs in the same timeframe.
Premier League Leads Europe in Cost and Cases
The study, which examines Europe's Big Five leagues, found the Premier League accounted for 24 per cent of all injuries and a massive 40 per cent of the total financial cost. This underscores both the physical intensity and the high wage bills characteristic of English football.
There was a slight glimmer of improvement last season. Injuries in the Premier League fell for a fourth consecutive year to 958, down from 986 in 2023-24. The associated cost also dropped significantly by £70 million to £250 million.
Manchester United and Chelsea Bear the Heaviest Burden
Looking at the five-year totals, Manchester United suffered the most injuries (399), followed by Chelsea (357) and Newcastle United (355). In pure financial terms, United also topped the costly table, paying an estimated £157 million to injured players. Chelsea followed at around £140 million, with Manchester City third at £105 million.
Dr. Robin Thorpe, former head of recovery at Manchester United, commented on the findings. "The Premier League continues to exhibit the highest burden of muscle and hamstring injuries, consistent with its high-velocity, transition-heavy style of play," he said.
"Because on-pitch performance strongly influences financial performance via league position, European qualification, commercial value and player asset appreciation, injuries impose a dual competitive and economic burden," Dr. Thorpe added.
Wider European Picture and Future Concerns
Across the Premier League, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, LaLiga, and Serie A, there were 22,596 injuries in the last five seasons, costing nearly €3.5 billion at an average of €150,000 per case. The report operates on the assumption that a player receives their full salary while injured.
James Burrows, Howden’s head of sport, noted that the expanded Club World Cup had so far shown "a minimal impact on the overall number of injuries sustained." However, he warned the delayed physical toll could spike in the current season.
"We expect to see the impact spike in the November to February period. That's where you see the most significant impact from summer tournaments," Burrows stated, adding that a "two-three-four-year view" was needed to draw firm conclusions on new competition schedules.
This colossal injury expenditure comes against a backdrop of record spending, with Premier League clubs splashing £2 billion in the summer 2025 transfer window and overall salaries continuing to rise.
