The glittering world of Premier League football has a dark and expensive secret: the rise of the modern 'bomb squad'. An exclusive Daily Mail investigation can reveal that top-flight clubs are currently exiling over £200 million worth of playing talent, casting them out from first-team duties in a costly and brutal practice.
The Price of Exclusion
This isn't just a case of a few fringe players. We're talking about established internationals and big-money signings now training alone, with their careers put on ice. The financial implications are staggering, representing one of the most wasteful aspects of modern football economics.
Club by Club: The Exiled Elite
The situation is particularly acute at some of the league's biggest clubs:
- Manchester United: The saga of Jadon Sancho continues, with the £73m winger training away from the main squad after his public fallout with manager Erik ten Hag.
- Chelsea: The Blues lead the way in expensive exiles, with Romelu Lukaku (£97.5m), Hakim Ziyech (£33.3m), and Malang Sarr effectively frozen out despite their enormous wage bills.
- Nottingham Forest: Following their signing spree, players like Jonjo Shelvey and Emmanuel Dennis find themselves completely out of the picture.
- Newcastle United: The Magpies are paying the price of their Saudi-led revolution, with several players including Ryan Fraser training separately.
- Tottenham: Even Ange Postecoglou's revolution has its casualties, with defenders Eric Dier and Japhet Tanganga deemed surplus to requirements.
- Arsenal: The Gunners are seeking moves for Cedric Soares and Nuno Tavares, who don't feature in Mikel Arteta's plans.
- West Ham & Wolves: Both clubs have their own high-earning dilemmas with players completely out of favour.
A Growing Trend in the Beautiful Game
This practice represents a significant shift in how clubs manage their squads. The 'bomb squad' strategy—where unwanted players are isolated to encourage them to leave—has become an accepted, if controversial, tactic. It raises serious questions about player welfare, financial prudence, and the ethical responsibilities of football clubs.
For the players involved, the human cost is immense. Training alone, away from teammates and competitive action, takes a tremendous toll on both professional morale and mental health. For clubs, it represents a catastrophic waste of resources that could be better invested elsewhere.
As the January transfer window approaches, the fate of these £200m-worth of exiles will become one of the Premier League's most compelling subplots.
