Year to forget – now back to old strength?: Embolo’s comeback plan in Monaco

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Breel Embolo (26) can do a few laps on the field at AS Monaco’s modern training ground in La Turbie, high above the Côte d’Azur, after which the Nati attacker goes to the weight room. While his teammates prepare for the start of the second half of the season against Reims on Saturday, the Basel native is still recovering. At the beginning of August he tore his cruciate ligament during training shortly before the start of the season.

“He is doing well after his long injury,” says Adi Hütter (53), the former YB and current coach of Monaco. “We hope he can return in April and play a few more games this season.” This is also confirmed by sports director Thiago Scuro (42). The Brazilian expects Embolo to return to team training in March, provided there are no complications with the knee.

In contrast to previous years, it now takes longer for a player to return after a torn cruciate ligament. The doctors have adjusted the protocol. In the past, a forced comeback after such a serious injury rarely yielded results.

A year to forget

2023 was a year to quickly forget for Embolo. After a strong preliminary round and an equally strong World Cup in Qatar with goals against Cameroon and Serbia, he first lost his regular place at Monaco. Then his knee problems started, causing the 63-time international to miss the national team matches in the spring. In addition, in June there was a trial before the Basel criminal court, which sentenced him to a suspended fine for making several threats. At the beginning of August the shock followed: a torn cruciate ligament! Which means Embolo also missed the Nati fall.

Unlike Nati, Monaco were better able to compensate for the loss of Embolo. After the preliminary round, the Monegasques are in third place and thus in the intended Champions League place. The return of Embolo is also important for the club, as the contract of French international Wissam Ben Yedder (33) expires at the end of the season. The future is open. Embolo himself still has a contract in the principality until 2026.

United with an old friend

An extra motivation boost for the Nati attacker is the signing of Thilo Kehrer (27). The Germany international is a very good friend of Embolo, as the two played together at Schalke from 2016 to 2018. “When he came to Schalke from Basel, I had already been with the professionals for a year. I knew the club and the city very well and tried to make the integration as easy as possible for him,” said Kehrer. «We spent almost every day together. But it wasn’t just us, our families were very good friends too.”

The two will soon be reunited on the field. Also as an opponent if everything goes according to plan. The national team will face Germany at the European Championship on June 23. While Kehrer wants to recommend himself to DFB coach Julian Nagelsmann with his good performances in Monaco, Embolo certainly has his place in the national team – if he is fit. And wins the race against time.

Source : Blick