The Premier League ‘Sicknote’ XI

The term ‘Sicknote’ may have been used to describe Spurs’ perennially-crocked former winger Darren Anderton, but it seems as though there are a host of current footballers who are all equally as deserving of this title. Whilst the intense and frenetic nature of the modern game means that the sport is more exciting to watch than ever before, the downside is that the game’s best footballers are increasingly susceptible to injury. The following eleven players seem to be better acquainted with the treatment room than the majority of their peers.

GK – Chris Kirkland – Wigan Athletic
The damning statistics:
213 career appearances since debut in 1999
Missed 15 Premier League games for Wigan Athletic over last two seasons

It has been said by many that Kirkland would’ve been England’s number one had he managed to remain free from injury for a prolonged period of time, but unfortunately the former Liverpool custodian has been dogged by injury for most of his career. Such problems meant that Kirkland was restricted to less than 50 outings in four years at Anfield, with his career marred by knee, finger, wrist and back ailments.

DF – Fabio Aurelio – Free Agent
The damning statistics:
50 Premier League starts for Liverpool in last four seasons (averaging 12.5 starts per season)

Defensively sound and in possession of an excellent left-foot, it is with great sadness that I learned of Fabio Aurelio’s recent exit from Anfield. The fact that manager Rafael Benitez offered him a (subsequently rejected) pay-as-you-play deal is indicative of the injury woes Aurelio has suffered on Merseyside, with Reds fans unaccustomed to seeing the Brazilian in the team for prolonged stretches. Aurelio’s early Anfield career was affected by a torn Achilles tendon, with his latter-day Liverpool absences caused by a torn adductor muscle and a knee injury sustained whilst playing beach football with his children last summer.

DF – Rio Ferdinand – Manchester United
The damning statistics:
36 Premier League starts for Manchester United in last two seasons (averaging 18 starts per season)

Rio Ferdinand’s well-documented back problems of the last two years have been of great concern to both Manchester United and England fans. The chronic nature of the injury suggests that the ailment may be degenerative, thus leading to genuine fears over the England skipper’s long-term future. Thankfully for the Old Trafford faithful, the likes of Jonny Evans, Nemanja Vidic and Gary Neville have managed to keep United’s rearguard impressively tight in his absence.

DF – Jonathan Woodgate – Tottenham Hotspur
The damning statistics:
Three Premier League starts last season
104 Premier League/La Liga appearances in last five seasons (averaging 20.8 starts per season)
12 appearances for Real Madrid in two seasons in Spain (no appearances in first season at Real Madrid)

The completion of just three Premier League games for Tottenham last season served to re-emphasise the injury-prone nature of Jonathan Woodgate. Regarded as one of England’s finest centre-backs when fit, Woodgate has constantly struggled to retain fitness for long periods of time. Back problems heartbreakingly prevented Woodgate from appearing at the 2006 World Cup, whilst his recent absence from the Spurs first-team has been attributed to a troublesome groin injury. Woodgate’s infamous injury problems whilst playing for Real Madrid even lead to him being voted the ‘worst signing of the 21st century’ by readers of Spain’s leading sports daily Diario Marca.

DF – Ledley King – Tottenham Hotspur
The damning statistics:
94 Premier League starts for Tottenham Hotspur in last five seasons (averaging 18.8 starts per season)

Considered by many to be the finest English defender of his generation, the curious condition suffered by Ledley King has served to hamper what could have been a glorious club and international career. Bereft of knee cartilage, King’s rare problem prevents the player from being able to play more than once a week. This problem has meant that only once in the last five seasons has King been able to feature in more than 25 Premier League games in a season.

Click here to see which midfielders feature in this most unique of XIs…