After years being overlooked by Rafa Benítez at Liverpool, Yossi Benayoun was set to make an impact with Chelsea this season, providing an aging Blues squad with some much needed depth. Now, just months into his Chelsea career, the Israeli attacker is set for a six month layoff, with Monday surgery scheduled for his torn Achilles tendon.
Anchilles Tendon Surgery To Keep Chelsea’s Yossi Benayoun Out Until April 2011
Chelsea confirmed the news via their website on Wednesday.
Benayoun, captain of the Israeli national team, was scheduled for international duty during the break. He left his national team late last week to return to London after national team doctors diagnosed him with a torn Achilles tendon. Chelsea’s medical staff has since confirmed the injury, scheduling him for next week’s operation.
Benayoun is reportedly confused as to why club medical staff failed to identify the injury prior to his departure for Israel, though as he’s quoted by Dominic Fifield in the Guardian, the tear’s left him unable to walk:
”I came to Israel ready to play and they told me it was a big tear. Chelsea were sure it was something small. They have compared all the images and they do not understand how they missed it. They said it is unusual to have such a big tear and not be in terrible pain. Even now I am not in pain but I cannot take one step by myself until I undergo surgery.“Current estimates will see Benayoun return to action in April - at the end of Chelsea’s Premier League season.
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