When the season begins, every team prepares themselves for the long year of football with specific tactics and plans. However, not everything goes to plan always as injuries -something inevitable always tends to puncture a team’s progress in a season.
Yes! The dreaded injuries. Not only do professional football players despise them, even us amateurs who kick around for a bit of fun absolutely abhor them. And of course, the tactics of managers and hopes of fans take an obvious hit when an important player picks up an injury.
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It is still early times in the 2016-17 season of club football, however, injuries have already played their part in the low moments of many teams this season. Some big players have picked up injuries at this early stage in the season and this could spell trouble for their clubs.
Here are five of the star players who have already picked up an injury, putting their club in danger.
#5 Andre Ayew – West Ham United
After a fantastic performance to finish with a European spot last season, West Ham United has begun their preparations for a massive season ahead. The Hammers were moving into a new stadium i.e. the Olympic stadium. They were active participants in the transfer market being linked to big names such as Carlos Bacca and James Rodriguez but had to settle with Andre Ayew, a great player himself.
As the season began, all eyes were on Ayew as West Ham’s talisman Dmitri Payet was expected to be handed an extended break after the Euros. However, after Andre Ayew picked up an injury in the 34th minute of the season opener against Chelsea, West Ham lacked creativity in the attack and Dmitri Payet was called on by the manager in the 67th minute. Ever since their loss to Chelsea, West Ham has been on a losing spree and find themselves in the relegation zone with 18 points.
Ayew, along with Payet was meant to be the catalyst in the attack for West Ham. While Payet has been doing his job, it clearly seems to looks like West Ham are missing Ayew. The Ghanian international is expected to make his return by December 2016.
#4 Casemiro – Real Madrid
After a stunning start to the season where Zinedine Zidane equalled Pep Guardiola's record for the number of games won in a row, Real Madrid has had a rough patch with four draws in four games in all competitions. And one player has been missing for each of these four fixtures – Casemiro. Coincidence? Certainly not!
The young Brazillian who barely featured in the first few games under Zidane has quickly cemented his spot in the side and has been the foundation for the team. When Real Madrid won their last 12 games in the 2015-16 season, Casemiro started 10 of the games. The only two games he missed were against Rayo Vallecano and Getafe, both sides who have been relegated this season. Clearly, the Brazillian youngster is vital for Zidane’s team.
Casemiro who generally plays the holding role for Real Madrid was replaced by Toni Kroos, a player who more of a creative/attacking midfielder. Since then, Real Madrid has looked vulnerable when defending. The midfielder is expected to return towards the end of October.
#3 Marco Reus – Borussia Dortmund
One of the most loved players in the world, Marco Reus has been very unlucky when it comes to fitness in the recent past. After missing the 2014 World Cup when he was injured just weeks before the tournament, Marco Reus has been sidelined quite often. The most recent one coming in May 2016. The German missed the UEFA European Championship this year in France and is yet to return.
While Borussia Dortmund has signed a number of fantastic players in the attack including Mario Gotze, Andre Schrulle, Ousmane Dembele and Emre Mor, the absence of Marco Reus in the attack has been clearly felt. Portuguese left back Raphael Guerreiro has been moved into an attacking role for Borussia Dortmund and has done a decent job for the men in yellow. However, Marco Reus would be the obvious first choice to start for Dortmund once he returns.
While he has been injured, Marco Reus has been announced as the cover for the new edition of FIFA, which is a good news for the player and his fans. Football fans around the world will have to wait for another three weeks to see Marco Reus reunite with Mario Gotze in the yellow jersey.
#2 Kevin De Bruyne – Manchester City
The Pep Guardiola era has begun at Manchester City and what a start to his reign it has been. The Spaniard won his first ten games in charge of Manchester City by blowing away his opponents with ease. However, not all the credit goes to Pep Guardiola. The Manchester City players have done a commendable job in executing his plans and tactics.
One player, in particular, has been outstanding this season in the Premier League and that is Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian has already been praised by fans and critics alike as the best player this season so far. His incredible ability to create chances as well as clinical finishing has ensured that Manchester City has been able to score in each of their games so far this season. However, the Sky Blues did not score against Tottenham when they succumbed to their first defeat. And of course, Kevin De Bruyne was missing.
Kevin De Bruyne’s impact has been so vital for City that Pep Guardiola went on the say that Kevin De Bruyne is one of the best players he has coached apart from Messi. The Belgian is expected to return by the 19th of October as Manchester City hope to stay on top of the table.
#1 Lionel Messi – Barcelona
Is there any list in the world that Lionel Messi doesn’t top? The Magician from Rosario tops the list of the star players injured this season. Barcelona’s Lionel Messi has had a fantastic start to the season after a forgettable summer scoring four goals in the league and netting a hat-trick in his only game in the Champions League. However, in an intense encounter against Atletico Madrid, the Argentine picked up a groin injury ruling him out for up to 4 weeks.
After Messi was substituted against Atletico, Barcelona conceded a goal just within two minutes and had a terrible last 30 minutes. Such is the impact that Leo has on his team. While they did pick up two victories after the game against Atletico, Barcelona went down in dramatic fashion against Celta Vigo yet again losing 4-3.
Although Lionel Messi has reportedly returned to training, he is expected to return to full fitness only around the 20th of October. Barcelona will, however, hope to have him back for the vital clash against Manchester City in the Champions League.
