The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast Who has the most settled squad in the Premier League?
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Dec 18, 2025 
Michael Cox, a respected football tactics writer, joins Mark Carey, a data journalist specializing in squad management, and Liam Tharme, a tactics expert, to explore Premier League squad stability. They dive into the impact of rotation on team performance, dissect Chelsea's heavy rotation strategy, and highlight Crystal Palace as the most settled squad under Oliver Glasner. The discussion also touches on whether deep squads lead to better results and if Pep Guardiola’s recent tactical choices reflect a shift to steadier lineups.
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Rising Match Intensity Explains Load
- Premier League matches are more intense now, with sprinting and passes per game rising significantly over the last decade.
- Increased intensity, not just fixture congestion, largely explains higher physical loads on players.
Why Chelsea Rotate So Much
- Chelsea rank lowest in stability due to heavy rotation, injuries and red cards this season.
- Their Club World Cup run and business model of buying many young players also forced earlier-season rotation.
Measuring Squad Stability With Minutes
- The stability rating maps player minutes across a season to quantify how settled squads are.
- A lower score means more chopping and changing, driven by tactics, injuries or suspensions.