Pogba, Di Maria and new signings who are already injured
FT Desk
- Updated: 7 Sept 2022 21:35 BST
- 5 min read
Paul Pogba's frustrating last few years on the pitch has continued with an injury sustained shortly after signing for Juventus from Manchester United.
His problems, though, might not be as serious as first feared. When a knee injury flared up, it was feared that he might require surgery that would see him side-lined for as much as five months, missing France's defence of the World Cup in the process.
He has been handed something of a boost, however, with the news that the pain he felt in his right knee while playing against Mexican outfit Chivas Guadalajara will only need gym and pool-based treatment. Indeed, Pogba could be back in action by mid-September.
It is a stark reminder, though, of the risks that every side takes in the transfer market, because a player's fitness is by no means a guarantee.
The summer transfer window gives every team the chance to strengthen and rebuild, as players move back and forth across the world, often in exchange for huge sums of cash.
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No transfer is a guaranteed success, however, even for the best players, as a poorly timed injury can quickly remove all the optimism that a blockbuster signing generates.
Juventus, of course, are not the only team missing one of their new arrivals as the 2022-23 campaign looms, with plenty of players suffering knocks, tears and aches just days or weeks after being presented to their new employers...
Paul Pogba (Juventus)
Pogba returned to Italy to great fanfare in July after leaving Man Utd for Juventus on a free transfer for the second time in his career after making the exact same move back in 2012.
The Juve faithful have fond memories of the midfielder, who played almost 200 times for the club during his maiden spell and lifted the Serie A title in each of his four seasons.
That reunion between fans and player, though, will have to wait a little longer. Nevertheless, his meniscus injury is not as serious as first feared and a return in September is now forecast.
Clement Lenglet (Tottenham)
Lenglet was a mysterious absence for Spurs during their 2-2 derby draw with Chelsea.
Antonio Conte cited "fatigue" for the former Barcelona, a curious diagnosis given that he had played just five minutes in the previous match, Tottenham's season opener in the Premier League against Bournemouth - but he also sat out the Wolves clash.
Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund)
During Borussia Dortmund's league opener against Bayer Leverkusen, Karim Adeyemi was forced off early after picking up an injury to his foot, and he underwent a medical examination afterwards.
Adeyemi didn't feature in Dortmund's 3-2 loss to Werder Bremen and remains out. However, Niklas Sule made his comeback off the bench in the defeat.
Angel Di Maria (Juventus)
There seems to be no end to Juventus' injury woes.
Hot on the heels of injuries to Pogba and Weston McKennie comes the latest setback, this time to new signing Angel Di Maria.
The Argentina international hurt his left leg during his debut against Sassuolo and will be out for at least 10 days.
Omar Richards (Nottingham Forest)
Back in the top flight for the first time since 1999, this summer Forest have invested heavily in new talent that they hope will keep them safe from relegation.
Richards, a former Reading youngster who spent last season at Bayern, is one of the more eye-catching transfers to date, with the club spending €8.5m to bring the London native back to England.
But the left-back subsequently suffered a hairline leg fracture and will miss at least the first few weeks of the new campaign, which starts with Saturday's visit to Newcastle United.
Diego Carlos (Aston Villa)
Diego Carlos, who arrived at Villa from Sevilla this summer for a fee of £26 million, faces an extended period on the sidelines.
The Brazilian ruptured his Achilles tendon in his second match for the club against Everton and will require surgery, putting him out of action for months.
Nayef Aguerd (West Ham)
Morocco international Aguerd is a new face at West Ham, having completed a €31m move from Rennes this summer to bolster the Hammers defence.
Then, playing against Rangers in a pre-season friendly, the 26-year-old went down hard and looked in extreme discomfort.
Subsequent examinations revealed a foot injury severe enough to require surgery, and while West Ham confirmed that the procedure had been a success Aguerd is still expected to miss at least a month of the new season as he recovers.
Calvin Ramsay (Liverpool)
While the teenager would have been unlikely to walk straight into the Reds' formidable backline even at full fitness, so far a niggling injury has prevented him from training or adapting to his new club.
Liverpool hope Ramsay will soon shake off the problem, though it will certainly mean he plays no part in the start of their season.
Sasa Kalajdzic (Wolves)
Sasa Kaljdzic joined Wolves for £15m prior to the end of the transfer window, signing a five-year deal and expecting to be a long-term option up front.
However, in a cruel twist of fate, the Austrian suffered an injury just 45 minutes into his debut, a problem which turned out to be an ACL tear which required surgery.
With the transfer window closing just days prior to his injury, Wolves ended up moving for former Chelsea striker Diego Costa as an alternative.
Read more about: Serie A, Premier League, Arsenal, C. Palace, Juventus, Liverpool, Nottingham, West Ham United, Paul Pogba
