Leon Goretzka had certainly imagined his fresh start in the Premier League would go differently. After eight years with FC Bayern, the 31-year-old joined Aston Villa on a free transfer this summer. But instead of taking the field for his new club, the midfielder is still watching from the sidelines. Injury problems have so far prevented him from making his debut in England.
Even after the international break, there’s still no green light for the former Bayern pro. As Villa coach Unai Emery confirmed, Goretzka will miss Saturday’s home game against Brentford.
As a result, the player with 73 caps for Germany continues to wait for his first competitive appearance for Aston Villa. Since his move to Birmingham, Goretzka has yet to play a single match for his new club.
Goretzka’s comeback in the Champions League is possible
At least a return is now on the horizon. According to Emery, the former Bayern star could be named to the roster as early as this coming Wednesday when Aston Villa faces Fenerbahçe Istanbul in the Champions League.
“Hopefully, in a few days, he’ll be able to achieve the necessary consistency in training and be included in the roster,” explained the Spanish coach.
The reason for his long forced absence is a knee injury that Goretzka sustained in training shortly after his transfer.
The injury not only prevented his Premier League debut but also kept him from participating in the German national team’s recent Nations League matches under head coach Jürgen Klopp.
According to the club, Goretzka has been training with the team again for about two weeks now. So far, however, he hasn’t been ready to return to the matchday roster.
A difficult fresh start after eight years with FC Bayern
For Goretzka, the situation is particularly frustrating. After leaving Munich, the midfielder wanted to start a new chapter in his career in England.
At Aston Villa, the 31-year-old is expected to play a key role in midfield thanks to his experience and dynamism. The Premier League club is undergoing a period of transition following several personnel changes and is counting on the international experience of the former Bayern pro.
To make matters worse, Goretzka missed the entire preseason due to his late transfer. The subsequent knee problems set him back even further.
As a result, the former Bayern star faces a twofold challenge: First, he must get fully fit; then, he’ll need to adapt as quickly as possible to the demands of the Premier League and Emery’s playing system.
It remains to be seen whether Goretzka will make his debut against Fenerbahçe. At the very least, October 14 could finally mark the fresh start the former Munich player has been hoping for.