De Bruyne and 6 Other Premier League Stars Set to Miss Start of Next Season Due to Injury

• Premier League clubs have begun preparations for the new term with preseason training
• Some teams will be without some of their star players who suffered long-term injuries
• Kevin De Bruyne limped off injured in the Champions League final with a hamstring tear

Premier League clubs have begun returning to their training complexes for fitness conditioning ahead of jetting out for pre-season camps in Asia and America.

Manchester City, who played in the UEFA Champions League final on June 10, are yet to resume after an exhausting campaign. However, they are expected back in training next Monday.

Sports Brief looks at seven top stars who won't be available at the start of the season after carrying over injuries from last season or suffering new ones, including Kevin De Bruyne, as first analysed by Planet Football.

1. Kevin De Bruyne

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The Belgian limped off during the Champions League final after just 33 minutes and was replaced by Phil Foden. KDB suffered a hamstring tear, an injury he confirmed he had been nursing for two months prior. He is set to be out for three months which rules him out of pre-season and the opening weeks of the season.

2. Benoit Badiashile

France U21 international, Badiashile joined Chelsea in January for a reported £34 million from AS Monaco. He became an instant part of the Blues' defence and was praised by fans for his composure on the ball. The Evening Standard reported he will miss the start of the new season after suffering a severe groin injury.

3. Rodrigo Bentacur

The Uruguayan had injury concerns at the 2022 World Cup with his country, returning to action after the Mundial only to suffer anterior cruciate ligament damage in his left knee. Bentacur then underwent ACL surgery and is expected to be out of action until September, ruling him out of the start of next season.

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4. Michael Olise

Crystal Palace were dealt a big blow after the winger suffered a hamstring injury with France at the U21 European championship. Olise scored a beauty against Manchester United from a free kick and was the Eagles' main creative force last season with 11 assists. Wilfried Zaha's uncertain future at South London makes it worse.

5. Alex Moreno

The 30-year-old left-back became an essential player for Unai Emery's Aston Villa after joining from Real Betis in January. He underwent surgery on his hamstring in the 1-1 draw against Liverpool and faces a race against time to be fit for the new season.

6. Andreas Pereira

The Brazilian attacker was one of Fulham's primary driving forces last season, but a serious knee injury against champions Manchester City ended his momentum. It is uncertain whether he will be fit for the start of the new football season.

7. Stefan Bajcetic

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The 18-year-old defensive midfielder was introduced to the first team by Jürgen Klopp to ease injury woes in midfield, and he slotted in seamlessly. He suffered an injury in March, and the German boss confirmed he would be part of pre-season - but not in full.

Premier League's best partnerships

Sports Brief also analysed the Premier League's best partnerships last season, with treble winners KDB and Erling Haaland settling for third place despite leading the assists and goals chart.

United's Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford topped the list with 36 chances from the Portuguese to the Englishman. Andreas Pereira created 20 chances for Aleksandar Mitrovic.