Marseille’s Valentin Rongier set for three-month absence following surgery
Valentin Rongier (28) is set for a three-month absence after undergoing surgery on a knee injury. He suffered the injury during Olympique de Marseille’s 0-0 draw against Lille OSC on November 4th.
Rongier, Marseille’s club captain, hadn’t dropped out of the starting XI since 9th August. He was an undroppable starter, both under Marcelino and under Gennaro Gattuso, however, the latter will have to do without him until 2024. Whilst the injury initially looked inconspicuous, the severity of the injury was ascertained in the days following the match against Lille.
It was quickly established that Rongier would need to undergo surgery on a fracture to the left kneecap. The Frenchman has now undergone surgery at the Jean-Mermoz hospital in Lyon. He is expected to be absent for around three months.
In the meantime, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Jordan Veretout will be expected to compensate for Rongier’s absence. The former recently returned from his own injury but has looked impressive since returning. Gattuso deployed a 4-2-3-1 against RC Lens on Sunday with Amine Harit in the No.10 role, which suggests that this is the system that Gattuso will deploy in the weeks ahead.
Bilal Nadir, a 19-year-old prospect at OM could also provide a solution for Gattuso. “I think that the time has come for Nadir to take on responsibilities,” said the Italian manager last week. Azzedine Ounahi, currently injured, could also play a more prominent role.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
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