“The unexpected is always a misfortune that we did not expect”. Signed François Mauriac, these words perfectly sum up the evils encountered by certain flagship recruits of this summer transfer window 2023. And for good reason. If the transfer market remains a great playground for making great deals, it is also the source of some significant disappointments. With this in mind, how can we not think of these players who are overjoyed at the idea of offering themselves a new challenge but are already on the sidelines after a first injury. This famous unforeseen. Arrived on July 1 from RB Leipzig against a check for €60 million, Christopher Nkunku can also attest to this.
Author of a very good summer preparation (3 goals) with Chelsea, the French international (10 caps) was finally cut off in his tracks. Hit in the knee during the last friendly match against Borussia Dortmund, the new Blues striker has since gone through surgery and will therefore miss several weeks of competition. “Nkunku is the victim of a knee injury which will rule him out for a long time. The 25-year-old has undergone surgery and will now begin a rehabilitation program with the club’s medical service., communicated, as such, the London formation. A frustrating trajectory also experienced by Jurriën Timber.
Long-term absences…
Just recruited by the Gunners this summer, the 22-year-old Dutchman also seriously injured his right knee on August 12 during a defensive withdrawal against Nottingham Forest. Recruited against 45 million euros, the former left-back of Ajax Amsterdam, affected in the anterior cruciate ligament, should therefore wait many months before finding his family. Just like El Chadaille Bitshiabu. Arrived at RB Leipzig for 20 million euros, the Parisian Titi, barred by competition at PSG, hoped to quickly launch his career in Germany. Yes, but now, fate has decided otherwise and the 18-year-old central defender will also be sidelined for very long months.
Seriously injured in an internal ligament of the right knee in training, the player trained in the French capital should indeed return during the month of November. A blow that the German club has already compensated for with the recent arrival of Castello Lukeba, snatched from OL for €30m. An equally dramatic situation for the young Arda Güler (18 years old). Bought 20 million euros from Fenerbahçe and impressive during his first training sessions with Real Madrid, the young prodigy of the Merengues finally injured the meniscus of his right knee. Operated by the renowned Manuel Leyes, used to working with Madrid players, the Turkish with four selections should therefore miss six weeks of competition and return after the international break in September. A less than ideal context to have playing time and prove yourself in such a competitive workforce.
Finally, to lesser degrees, other recruits will also have to wait before starting in their new colors. This is particularly the case of Rasmus Højlund (20 years old), recruited by Manchester United against a check for 75M€. Presented to Mancunian supporters, the former Atalanta Bergamo striker (20 years old, 32 games and 9 goals in Serie A for the 2022-2023 season) still suffers from his back and should therefore not tread the lawn of Old Trafford in the coming weeks. Note also that during his medical visit, the Danish striker had already had to go to London to undergo additional examinations following an alert.
