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Premier League top clubs' substitute benches analysed

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Which of the current top six clubs have the strongest bench - and who is lacking squad depth?

As the season approaches the festive period, fatigue and injuries can begin to take their toll on weaker squads. So which title challenger has plenty of reserves and who could struggle to maintain momentum?

In a detailed Sky Sports study, we've taken a closer look at the matchday squads for Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham and Manchester United.

Removing each team's most-selected XI, we've then collated the number of Premier League appearances, international caps and transfer fees paid for those left on the bench and worked out what an 'average' substitute available to each of those teams looks like.

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Image: Chelsea's substitutes this season have more Premier League and international experience than their rivals

It's bad news for Tottenham - they have the weakest bench according to our study. On average, the players sitting in the dugout behind Mauricio Pochettino have made just 37 Premier League appearances, won seven international caps and cost around £5.4m. 

Academy products Harry Winks, Josh Onomah and Cameron Carter-Vickers, for instance, were three of Spurs' seven subsitute options against Swansea. 

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In contrast, Chelsea have the strongest bench among the title contenders. The Blues' average sub this season has 109 Premier League appearances, 29 international caps and cost around £12.2m.

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Michy Batshuayi cost the Blues £33.2m in the summer but has started among the subs every game this season, while former Premier League champions Oscar (eight sub starts), Cesc Fabregas (eight), Branislav Ivanovic (six), John Terry (five) and Willian (four) have also started frequently on the bench this term.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: General view of the benches during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at White Hart Lane
Image: The average Man City sub this season has played 92 Premier League games - the average Spurs replacement just 37

Manchester United boast the second strongest back-ups according to our study, with their average sub having 92 Premier League appearances, 26 international caps and a £10.8m price tag.

Among the other four top clubs, Arsenal have more international experience (23 caps), Manchester City have a higher number of league appearances (92) and value (£7.9m) but fewest international caps (16).

Meanwhile, the average Liverpool sub has 69 league appearances, 20 international caps and a transfer value of £6.2m.

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho may have a stronger bench than Tottenham when the sides meet at Old Trafford on Sunday, but Spurs' starting XI have been delivering recently, winning 5-0 against Swansea last weekend before beating CSKA Moscow 3-1 in the Champions League.

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