On Friday morning, Bayer Leverkusen confirmed the news that their new signing, Charles Aránguiz, had torn his right Achilles tendon and would miss "several months" of action. The expectation is that the Chile international will miss the entirety of the Hinrunde.
A devastating blow
Aránguiz had only joined the Bundesliga club last week, finally ending the speculation surrounding his future. Die Werkself fought off fierce competition from Leicester City to secure his signature but he will now be forced to wait before he can make his Leverkusen debut.
The incident happened on Thursday evening, tearing his Achilles tendon just two days before what the BayArena outfit had hoped would be his first outing in his new strip. It was been confirmed that Aránguiz will be operated on next Tuesday by Dr. Bernhard Segesser in Basel.
Speaking on the matter, sporting director Rudi Völler said it had “hit us all very hard" and that "we feel for him". The legendary goalscorer then confirmed he would have been in the squad at the weekend, "Charles was really looking forward to his first Bundesliga game at Hannover.” Völler concluded with a determined statement, declaring they will "do all we can" to ensure Charles regains fitness after "this serious injury".
Will they need to find a replacement?
That leaves Leverkusen looking a tad light in midfield. After Gonzalo Castro, Simon Rolfes (retired) and Stefan Reinartz all left the club, Lars Bender and Christoph Kramer remain the two first choice midfielders but only André Ramalho and Marlon Frey remain as back-ups. A inexperienced duo to back up the pair is hardly the situation that Roger Schmidt wants to put himself in.
Therefore, it is hardly any surprise that they have already been linked with short-term moves for two players. Kicker have already reported that both Sebastian Rode and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg could be possible replacements for the Chilean while he recovers from his injury.