Fiorentina was delivered a huge blow earlier this week when starting keeper Sebastien Frey went down with a serious knee injury in training.
Frey, who has been with the Italian club since 2006, is considered one of the best Serie A keepers around and the Frenchman was one of the few bright spots to a disappoining year last season by strong performances in Cup play. Frey helped lead his side to the Coppa Italia final and a strong Champions League run in 2009/2010, but it now appears as if the Frenchman will miss the remainder of the 2010/2011 season due to the injury blow.
A statement on the club’s website read:
The tests done have shown damage to the anterior cruciate ligament. The player will need to undergo surgery. The time for a complete recovery will vary between four and six months, depending on the surgery he will need.
And with 15th place results so far this year this news is terrible for a squad that was just beginning to turn it around in the last few weeks. Frey is considered arguably the best player on the club’s roster and losing such a talented player at such a crucial position could make things much more interesting then the fans of the Fiorentina squad would like.
The one bit of good news is that the club wisely brought in a respectable backup keeper this summer in Artur Boruc formerly of Celtic. Boruc recently admitted that his work ethic was not always as dedicated as it should be with his former club, but the keeper stressed that he was looking for a fresh start in Italy and hoping to see some expanded time on the pitch as the season continued on.
It appears that Boruc’s wish has come true, but at a terrible price for a reeling club that is fighting to avoid the relegation zone.
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