Manchester City have used three fewer players than anyone else in the Premier League this season and enter the run-in with no injuries, while nothing Forest or Chelsea try seems to work…
Here, from fewest to most, are the Premier League teams ranked on how many players they have used this season.
1) Manchester City – 22 players used
While their neighbours are dropping like flies, City have zero injuries ahead of their Champions League trip to Bayern Munich. Good fortune or good planning? Pep’s medics would doubtless argue the latter.
2) West Ham – 25
When David Moyes tried to make changes, six of them, last week in the Europa Conference clash with Genk it almost cost them. Moyes is nothing if not a creature of habit.
3) Brentford – 25
Look at Brentford, with their smart recruitment, intelligent use of data and low rate of absences. Smug b*stards.
4) Arsenal – 26
Part of the secret of Arsenal’s consistency through the first half of the season lay in Mikel Arteta’s preference for unchanged XIs, and the fact the Gunners’ rate of injury allowed him to maintain momentum through his selections. Gabriel Jesus is the only first-teamer to have missed a significant chunk of the season, though William Saliba’s injury is now a concern.
5) Newcastle – 26
Eddie Howe will need a bigger squad next season when European football becomes a concern. So it’s a good job his scouts are looking at 16 more players. Big names too.
6) Manchester United – 26
Erik ten Hag has had a hard time whittling down which players he can trust but since United have played more games than anyone else this season, it’s still a surprise to see them having used the joint-fourth fewest players in the Premier League. If he trusted more, perhaps he might have given Bruno a breather…
Read more: Bruno Fernandes way out in front as Europe’s most overworked player
7) Crystal Palace – 26
Twenty-six players but two completely different teams under Patrick Vieira then Roy Hodgson. Two ever-presents for Palace: Jordan Ayew and Eberechi Eze.
8) Brighton – 26
Lewis Dunk is yet to miss a minute in the Premier League this season, with Solly March and Pascal Gross joining the defender in featuring in every game this season. Six fewer players than Chelsea and half the number of managers.
9) Aston Villa – 26
Only five clubs have used more new recruits than Villa this term, though every player looks like a new signing under Unai Emery compared to the zombies…
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