Daniel Sturridge made the dream return from injury, but was he the most missed player this season…
Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge made the dream comeback from his injury nightmare against West Ham United on Saturday, taking just 12 minutes to find the net after coming on as a second-half substitute.
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The incredible impact of Sturridge’s introduction begs the question of where the club could have been this season if the 25-year-old had not endured five months out on the sidelines. How many goals would Sturridge have scored?
Of course, this is a problem that is experienced regularly up and down the country. Players get injured, and a team’s form subsequently drops – but who has been missed the most? We rank the top ten from the Premier League so far this season:
10) Victor Wanyama (Southampton)
The holding midfielder limped off during the FA Cup win over Ipswich and will likely prove a big miss for the Saints. As integral to the South Coast side as Morgan Schneiderlin, there is not enough strength in depth to cover for both being out.
9) Siem de Jong (Newcastle United)
The 26-year-old was Newcastle’s major summer signing, joining in a £6m deal from Ajax, while he was also appointed as the club’s vice captain. Unfortunately, a training ground injury in September has ruled him out ever since.
8) Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)
The Tottenham full-back has only recently return from a long spell out through injury. Spurs struggled in his absence, with Kyle Naughton, Eric Dier and Vlad Chiriches all called into provide cover.
7) Olivier Giroud (Arsenal)
The French striker was a big miss for Arsenal during the first-part of the season, with the Gunners leaning even more heavily on Alexis Sanchez in his absence. His return has brought with it a welcome turn in fortunes for Arsene Wenger’s side.
6) Luke Shaw (Manchester United)
A symbol of United’s ongoing defensive injury woes. The number of games played by youngsters Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair only serves to emphasise that point. The big money summer signing has been restricted to just 11 league appearances this term.
5) Christian Benteke (Aston Villa)
Aston Villa have managed just 11 league goals so far this season. Their cause has not been helped by a long term injury to star striker Christian Benteke, who has struggled since making his comeback.
4) Tim Howard (Everton)
Everton have had to rely on Joel Robles after an injury to their American number one. Howard has barely missed a game over the last few years and the blow has come as an unwanted surprise for Roberto Martinez’s side.
3) Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
Only Diego Costa has scored more goals than the Argentine this season and that comes despite him missing the last couple of months through injury. City have proved time and again that they struggle to cope without him.
2) Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal)
We mentioned earlier that Arsenal struggled in an attacking sense without Giroud. Arguably, they missed another French star – Koscielny – even more, with his absence often leaving them frustratingly exposed at the back.
1) Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool)
The England international started the season in perfect form with a goal against Southampton, but an injury in a Three Lions training session has inexplicably led to five months of injury troubles. In his absence, Liverpool have struggled in the league and fallen at the Champions League group stage.
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