Serie A giants Juventus have received some very unwelcome news ahead of the new season, with German midfielder Sami Khedira set to miss up to two months because of a thigh injury.
Following the departures of legendary Italian midfield maestro Andrea Pirlo, as well as fan-favourite Arturo Vidal, the last thing the Bianconeri needed was an injury to one of their central midfielders.
Unfortunately for Juventus, German midfielder Sami Khedira is reportedly set to miss two months of football with a thigh injury, ruling him out for the Italian Super Cup, as well as the start of the new Serie A season at the end of August.
Juventus release official medical update
The former Real Madrid man being stretchered off just 25 minutes into a friendly against French side Olympique de Marseille had Juventini fearing the worst. Their fears were confirmed by the club on Monday, with the Bianconeri releasing an official medical update and announcing that the 28-year-old would miss two months of football.
Sami #Khedira‘s medical update: . http://t.co/6jexzI8tWL pic.twitter.com/Qp2YIO0zmA
a JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) August 3, 2015
An official Juventus statement on the club website read: “Sami Khedira will be sidelined for approximately two months after medical examinations revealed a second-grade myotendinous tear of the rectus femoris muscle in his right thigh. The German midfielder sustained the injury during last Saturdaya s pre-season friendly against Olympique Marseille at the Stade Velodrome.”
The news means that the World Cup winner would have to wait until October to make his official d but for the club after joining Juventus on a free transfer from Spanish giants Real Madrid this summer.
The Bianconeri should consider Axel Witsel
The Zenit St. Petersburg midfielder was believed to be close to signing for rivals AC Milan, but now remains a player still looking for a move away from Russia. In light of Khedira’s injury lay-off, it would make sense for Juventus to enter the market for a central midfielder, and the Bianconeri are unlikely to find better options than Witsel.
The Belgian can be a box-to-box midfielder in Khedira’s mould, whilst also being able to play as an anchor man – as he has done for the Belgium national side on several occasions. As an all-round midfielder, Witsel would only serve to improve the quality in Juventus’ eclectic midfield, and would give manager Massimiliano Allegri more tactical options.
The Bianconeri have been linked with the 26-year-old throughout the summer, but perhaps Khedira’s injury will now force a concrete offer from Juventus for the Belgian.