Edited by Paul Elegbeleye
2026 season’s Premier League international break just ended.
What is the fitness status of contenders? When will sidelined players return? Some players have withdrawn due to injury to ensure they fully recover and are available for domestic and European games. However, others have returned in perfect condition.
Among the top six teams in this season’s English Premier League, which players are returning without injury?
We will carefully review these teams and their players.
Table of Contents
Chelsea
According to the Evening Standard, the team has several fitness boosts, although some players sustained injuries. The injury-free stars include:
- Cole Palmer
- Estêvão Willian
- Enzo Fernández
- Moisés Caicedo
- Benoît Badiashile (fully recovered)
- Robert Sánchez
- Marc Cucurella
- Noni Madueke
- Malo Gusto
International Break: A Much-Needed Rest or an Unwanted Distraction?
Liverpool
Some of Arne Slot’s players have returned from the international break unscathed. Although he is missing some team members, Liverpool’s official medical bulletin confirms some of his injury-free members. Below is the list.
- Virgil van Dijk
- Ibrahim Konate
- Andrew Robertson
- Jeremie Frimpong
- Darwin Núñez
- Luis Díaz
- Hugo Ekitiké
- Curtis Jones
(Source, Liverpool FC)
However, as Liverpool heads into the quarter-final of the cup, some of their players are not fit to play. Some injured stars include:
1) Mohammad Salah
During the second half of the Champions League between Liverpool and Galatasaray, Salah sustained a minor muscle injury. Reports have it that he has responded well to treatment.
2) Wataru Endo
Following has a serious ankle issue which he sustained on February 11, Wataru underwent ankle surgery and is currently sidelined. He is undergoing long-term rehabilitation.
Aston Villa
Key players returning from international break unscathed include the following;
- Emiliano Martínez
- Ezri Konsa
- Morgan Rogers
- Youri Tielemans
- Amadou Onana
- John McGinn
- Lucas Digne
- Matty Cash
- Lamare Bogarde
However, the club is facing some injury concerns. Medically unfit team members include:
1) Jadon Sancho
Jadon suffered a shoulder injury on 27th March, a few days ago. His fitness for the upcoming fixture is uncertain.
2) Andrés García
He had a hamstring issue during training in February and may likely return to the pitch by April.
3) Boubacar Kamara
He suffered a knee knock against Spurs during their match in the FA Cup. Kamara may not return until June.
Manchester United
Michael Carrick has most of his players returning in effective condition without injuries. His international players have completed their duties without any fitness issues. They include;
- Bruno Fernandes
- Diogo Dalot
- Amad Diallo
- Harry Maguire
- Noussair Mazraoui
- Casemiro
- Kobbie Mainoo
Manchester City
Following the international break, Manchester City has reported its squad in perfect condition. Some of the players who have completed their international duties and returned in perfect condition. They include:
- Erling Haaland
- Mateo Kovačić
- Matheus Nunes
- James McAtee,
- Ederson
- Phil Foden (he just returned from a fitness issue but will likely play this weekend’s game).
- Stephan Ortega.
They are all in perfect condition and ready to play. However, only one player pulled out from Pep Guardiola’s Man City, John Stones
Arsenal
A huge injury crisis just erupted in the EPL top team, Arsenal. Arsenal, on its way to winning the Premier League title for the first time in over 20 years, has reported a disturbing statistic of injured players. In fact, 10 out of the team players have withdrawn from international fixtures this window. This is due to different injury cases. Here are some of the players who won’t be returning due to injury.
1) Gabriel Magalhães
Gabriel’s knee trauma was confirmed through imaging. The date he will return has not been made public yet.
2) William Saliba
While William withdrew from the France squad with a “recurring pain in the left ankle” his fitness is currently 75%. His return date hasn’t been announced yet.
3) Jurriën Timber
Timber sustained a groin injury on March 14 in the first half of the game Arsenal played against Everton. He missed the Carabao Cup Final and round 16 of the Champions League second leg. He may likely return in April.
4) Eberechi Eze
Reports have it that he sustained a calf trauma, which made him miss the Carabao Cup Final. Scheduled for official diagnosis this week, this will confirm the severity of the calf injury and determine the possible layoff period.
5) Mikel Merino
Merino suffered a stress fracture in his foot, which resulted in surgery in February. While his condition seemed serious, he is currently recovering. Sources claim he hopes to be fit to participate in Spain’s 2026 World Cup.
6) Martin Ødegaard
He is currently recovering from a knee injury he sustained in February. Nevertheless, hopes are high that he will be fit to play in Arsenal’s FA Cup quarter-final against Southampton.
7) Leandro Trossard
The young footballer is currently battling a hip injury he sustained this month. This had forced him to withdraw from the Belgium national team during the international break and remain at London Colney for rehabilitation.
Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are not injured, but a medical assessment reported they were playing with a “general discomfort” and 70% fitness (retrieved from Sky Sports).
However, Arsenal’s team members that are fit include:
- Viktor Gyokeres
- Riccardo Calafiori
- Cristhian Mosquera
- Kai Havertz
- Ben White
While Manchester United and Manchester City have the strongest fitness levels, Arsenal seems to be facing a fitness crisis. This may impact the title ambition.
Also Read: Premier League Players’ Injuries List
