Skip to main content
Join The Club
- Join our community
17
Member Features
24/7
Access Available
5K+
Active Members
Live Q&A Sessions
Weekly interactive sessions
Member Competitions
Win exclusive prizes
Exclusive Content
Premium articles & videos
Early Access
First to see new features
Exclusive Newsletters
Football news direct to your inbox
Monthly Rewards
Surprise gifts & perks
GET CLUB ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your football news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
Get Club Access Quick

Join The Club for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation plus sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Background
Welcome to Fourfourtwo club !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Complete 1 quiz to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Football Quizzes

Football Quizzes

Quick quizzes for football fans.

Read Now
Football Crosswords

Football Crosswords

Football-themed crossword challenges.

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives
Find the subscription that suits you

Find the subscription that suits you

We’ve highlighted the subscriptions our members get the most value from.

Explore

Sign Out
FourFourTwo FourFourTwo FOOTBALL NEWS, FEATURES, QUIZZES
UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia US EditionUS CA EditionCanada KR Edition대한민국 TR EditionTürkiye
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Soccer Cleat Buying Guides
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Video
  • Features
  • Quizzes
  • Clubs
  • Membership
  • More
    • Interviews
    • Opinion
    • The Magazine Archive
    • Subscribe
    • How to Watch
    • About
    • Lists
FourFourTwo Magazine
FourFourTwo Magazine
Why subscribe?
  • Subscribe today and save 36% PLUS make sure you’re prepared for the season ahead with FourFourTwo’s ultimate guide to the new campaign as a FREE gift!
  • Fascinating feature articles, covering everything from grass-roots football to the international scene
  • 'ACCESS ALL AREAS' pass to exclusive interviews with the biggest and best names in the game!
From$29.99
Save 36%
Subscribe now
Trending
  • 😮 Why there are MAJOR problems at Liverpool
  • 💯 The greatest players of all-time, ranked
  • Ronaldo
  • EPL
  • Interviews
  • Transfers
  • Messi
  1. Competition
  2. Premier League

Ranked! Which Premier League big-six club was hit hardest by the international break?

Features
By Greg Lea
Published 12 October 2017

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

6. Tottenham (38,186 miles)

6. Tottenham (38,186 miles)

Tottenham were the least affected of the Big Six, with 11 of their players racking up a combined distance of over 38,000 miles. The final group stage of World Cup qualification in Asia concluded last month, meaning Son Heung-min didn't have to return to South Korea, so instead played friendlies in Russia and Switzerland. Central defender Davinson Sanchez was therefore the man who travelled furthest, the Colombia international returning to South America for crucial clashes with Paraguay and Peru.

Elsewhere, Jan Vertonghen became Belgium's all-time record appearance-maker, Hugo Lloris kept goal for France in Sofia and Paris, and Harry Winks made his senior England debut in Lithuania.

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
5. Chelsea (59,090 miles)

5. Chelsea (59,090 miles)

Chelsea's players travelled 21,000 miles more than Tottenham's, yet they still remain outside the top four of this list. An injury sustained by France's N'Golo Kante in the narrow victory over Bulgaria won't have pleased Antonio Conte, although Eden Hazard came through Belgium's double-header unscathed.

Thibaut Courtois also represented the Red Devils as they beat Gibraltar and Cyprus, while Willian was part of the Brazil squad that faced Bolivia and Chile.

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
4. Arsenal (60,434 miles)

4. Arsenal (60,434 miles)

Chile forward Alexis Sanchez will not have been pleased with club team-mate and Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina, whose mistake against Peru helped knock the Chileans out of South American qualification. There was more bad news in Germany as Shkodran Mustafi injured his hamstring against Azerbaijan, but Mesut Ozil was left out of Joachim Low's squad in his bid to return to full fitness.

Elsewhere, Sead Kolasinac, Alexandre Lacazette and Aaron Ramsey all played in Europe, with Alex Iwobi and Mohamed Elneny taking part in African qualifiers for Nigeria and Egypt respectively.

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
3. Manchester United (64,125 miles)

3. Manchester United (64,125 miles)

Of the 80 players from the big six clubs who played for their countries, no one covered more miles than Ecuador's Antonio Valencia. Back-up goalkeeper Sergio Romero also made the long trip to South America, while Eric Bailly and Henrikh Mkhitaryan both broke the 5,000-mile barrier as they represented Ivory Coast and Armenia respectively.

Belgium midfielder Marouane Fellaini didn't have as far to go, but the injury he sustained while playing for the other Red Devils means he will miss Saturday's derby against Liverpool. David de Gea, Daley Blind, Marcus Rashford and Romelu Lukaku were also among those who remained in Europe.

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
2. Liverpool (71,023 miles)

2. Liverpool (71,023 miles)

Mohamed Salah was responsible for one of the best moments of the international weekend, scoring a late penalty against Congo to book Egypt's place in Russia next summer – but elsewhere in Africa, Sadio Mane picked up an injury while representing Senegal.

Brazilian duo Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho each clocked up 13,584 miles as the Seleção drew with Bolivia and beat Chile, while Ragnar Klavan, Jordan Henderson, Emre Can and Daniel Sturridge were involved in European qualifiers.

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
1. Manchester City (106,873 miles)

1. Manchester City (106,873 miles)

At 106,873 miles, Manchester City were the most disadvantaged by the latest international break. Interestingly, the Premier League table-toppers had the same amount of players on duty (15) as Liverpool and only one more than Manchester United and Chelsea, but a mammoth average distance of 7,124 miles per player puts them way out in first place.

John Stones, Raheem Sterling and Kyle Walker were part of the England group that secured qualification, with Leroy Sane, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and David Silva also involved in action in Europe. The trips to South America for Ederson, Gabriel Jesus, Danilo, Claudio Bravo, Fernandinho and Nicolas Otamendi are what will hit City hardest, though.

Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
TOPICS
Tottenham Hotspur Manchester United Manchester City Chelsea Arsenal
Greg Lea
Greg Lea
Social Links Navigation

Greg Lea is a freelance football journalist who's filled in wherever FourFourTwo needs him since 2014. He became a Crystal Palace fan after watching a 1-0 loss to Port Vale in 1998, and once got on the scoresheet in a primary school game against Wilfried Zaha's Whitehorse Manor (an own goal in an 8-0 defeat).

Read more
FFT391.feat_england.gettyimages_2205689853
Team Thomas Tuchel's divisive England World Cup 2026 squad is match-fit but short on fresh legs
 
 
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JUNE 13: Harry Kane of England arrives at Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport on June 13, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
Competition How many miles will England travel if they reach World Cup final?
 
 
GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY - JUNE 30: Harry Kane of England sprays water over his face during the UEFA EURO 2024 round of 16 match between England and Slovakia at Arena AufSchalke on June 30, 2024 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Michael Regan - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Team England World Cup fixture schedule is the second-toughest – here's the science that proves it
 
 
Declan Rice of Arsenal celebrates following the team's victory during the Premier League match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor on November 01, 2025 in Burnley, England.
Competition Every Premier League team's season graded
 
 
Brian Brobbey of Netherlands celebrates a goal with Cody Gakpo.
Competition Shocking Sunderland stat re-emerges, following Brian Brobbey masterclass
 
 
Thomas Tuchel, manager of England, speaks to players at the hydration break during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match against Congo DR at Atlanta Stadium on July 01, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia
Competition Who is making the most of hydration breaks at the World Cup?
 
 
Latest in Competition
Harvey Elliott is back at Liverpool after his recent loan spell with Aston Villa
Competition How to watch Liverpool vs Sunderland: Live stream details
 
 
Competition "Sir Alex Ferguson crossed a line, and therein lies the difference between me and him, that’s how he won 13 league titles and I won none" Kevin Keegan on Newcastle United's 1995/96 Premier League challenge 30 years on from the 'Love it' rant
 
 
Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Leeds United during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Burnley at Elland Road on May 1, 2026 in Leeds, United Kingdom.
Competition How to watch Leeds United vs Wrexham: Live stream details
 
 
Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio shows a red card to South Africa's midfielder #11 Themba Zwane during the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between Mexico and South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, 2026. (Photo by Yuri CORTEZ / AFP)
Competition Seven red flags raised by international advisory body over World Cup 2026 betting irregularities
 
 
Jules Breach - Mexico
Competition JULES BREACH: Mexico fully embraced the World Cup and showed how passionate, emotional and seriously loud the fans are
 
 
Celtic boss Martin O'Neill
Competition How to watch Celtic vs AC Milan: Live stream details
 
 
Latest in Features
Harry Kane with his 2026 World Cup bronze medal
Player When will Harry Kane break Peter Shilton's England appearance record?
 
 
FourFourTwo's Weekend Crossword
Quiz FourFourTwo's Weekend Crossword 63: Playmakers, Places and Euro '28
 
 
Clinton Morrison's Top Top Column
Team "If I’m Steve Parrish at Crystal Palace and teams want Adam Wharton, I’d be thinking 'He’s going to go for just as much, if not MORE than Alex Scott!' Clinton Morrison on the summer window, and the World Cup Final, including a review of Justin Bieber
 
 
Harvey Elliott is back at Liverpool after his recent loan spell with Aston Villa
Competition How to watch Liverpool vs Sunderland: Live stream details
 
 
Competition "Sir Alex Ferguson crossed a line, and therein lies the difference between me and him, that’s how he won 13 league titles and I won none" Kevin Keegan on Newcastle United's 1995/96 Premier League challenge 30 years on from the 'Love it' rant
 
 
Friday Football Quiz
Quiz Friday Football Quiz, episode 125: Can you get 20 correct answers?
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Clinton Morrison's Top Top Column
    1
    "If I’m Steve Parrish at Crystal Palace and teams want Adam Wharton, I’d be thinking 'He’s going to go for just as much, if not MORE than Alex Scott!' Clinton Morrison on the summer window, and the World Cup Final, including a review of Justin Bieber
  2. 2
    How to watch Liverpool vs Sunderland: Live stream details as Andoni Iraola takes charge of first game
  3. 3
    How to watch Leeds United vs Wrexham: Live stream details as Ryan Reynolds' men face Premier League opponents
  4. 4
    “The further you get from Arsenal’s title win at Anfield, the more special it becomes, as it’s a game that will never be repeated, a special, special night” Alan Smith on Arsenal’s legendary 1989 title decider
  5. 5
    “I joined Leeds United to babysit my compatriot Phil Masinga, but I ended up staying there for 10 years” Lucas Radebe’s unlikely path to becoming an Elland Road legend

FourFourTwo is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About FourFourTwo
  • Advertise with us
  • Worldwide
  • How to pitch to FourFourTwo

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...