Report: Barcelona defender’s injury comeback delayed by surgery

Barcelona defender Andreas Christensen is reported to have undergone surgery on a troublesome Achilles injury, extending his spell on the sidelines into the New Year.

Christensen has missed virtually all of 2024/25 so far, playing just 26 minutes as a substitute in August's La Liga win over Valencia. Achilles irritation has kept him out for four months and counting.

But while he was originally expected to be nearing a return to action around now, the Dane's comeback has been delayed. Catalunya Radio suggest he has had a surgical procedure on the Achilles tendons in both feet, performed in Sweden, three weeks ago.

The idea is that the intervention will reduce lingering discomfort, although it will extend his absence by another couple of months. Christensen is now not expected back before the start of 2025, perhaps on course to be available towards the end of January.

Given that Christensen started 37 games across four competitions last season, flipping between centre-back and defensive midfield roles, his enforced absence has been a blow.

Results alone suggest that Barcelona haven't overly missed the Denmark international, with Hansi Flick's side top of La Liga and going strong in the Champions League. But the season is long and the depth of cover that he provides in multiple positions is a valuable asset they haven't currently got.

On the plus side, fellow centre-back Ronald Araujo is at least getting close to a return following a hamstring tear suffered at the Copa America during the summer. The Uruguayan has been in social media clips upping his training load, working on grass and introducing a ball into his individual programme. The next step will be rejoining, in some capacity, group training sessions.

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