Dodgy Knees…Dodgy Chances

January 31st, 2006 | by: Finnegan | Comments Off

The injuries are piling up for Spain’s manager…

Raul and Xavi Hernandez – in a race to get fit. Dodgy Knees.

Juan Carlos Valeron – popped went the weasel on Sunday. ACL tear. Gone.

While the injuries to Valeron and Xavi are serious, Raul is the team’s heart and soul. Their leader and talisman. He has decided now not to get surgery and instead is going the rehab route in hopes of being fit by June. Whether he is or not – running around on a ACL-less knee is not going to make a player particularly confident. This is not good news for Spain.

But this could also be a blessing in disguise giving some younger or overlooked players a chance to sign. Much the way in 2002 the injury pre-WC to Chris Armas allowed Pablo Mastroeni to step in and shine for the US National Team.