As per FIFA rules, clubs are allowed to seek compensation for their players injured while playing for the national team. The reimbursement is directly linked with the wages the player earns with his club.
However the payments will definitely serve managers no purpose who will have to make adjustments in the absence of their star players.
Let us take a look at some of the players who suffered injuries during the international week and how their respective teams will cope without them.
Arsenal
Aaron Ramsey – Expected to return on November 23, 2013
The former Cardiff man missed Wales’ 1-1 draw with Finland on Friday because of a suspected hamstring injury as claimed by the player himself on twitter.
However according to manager Chris Coleman it was the mysterious illness which has seemed to infect most of the Arsenal players which kept the 22 year old out of the tie.
Ramsey has come in leaps and bounds this season and has contributed heavily to Arsenal’s success so far. He is expected to be fit for Arsenal’s weekend fixture against Southampton, but should the Welshman not feature on Saturday, Arsene Wenger has a worthy replacement in Jack Wilshere.
Barcelona
Victor Valdes – Expected to be out for six weeks
Dani Alves – Expected to be out of ten days
With Barcelona already having to do without star man Lionel Messi, an injury to Victor Valdes will be a major blow to their title aspirations. The 31 year old replaced Iker Casillas at half time during the match against South Africa on Tuesday, but limped off the field in what appeared to be a calf injury.
Valdes’ deputy Jose Pinto can hardly be categorised as a reliable option and the Catalans will surely suffer in the absence of their first choice keeper.
Alves’ injury on the other hand is only short term and the Brazilian is expected to return within a matter of 7-10 days. The 30 year has suffered a small hamstring injury after being part of the Brazilian team which faced Honduras and Chile in international friendlies.
22 year old Martín Montoya is likely to take the Brazilian’s place in the starting line-up, with Javier Mascherano another capable option.
Bayern Munich
Franck Ribery – No expected return date
The 30 year old was part of sensational turn around which saw France turn a 2-0 deficit into their own favour when they humbled Ukraine 3-0 in Paris. Les Bleus sealed a place for themselves in the last 32, but the Ballon D’or favourite who was repeatedly targeted by the Ukraine defence will have to sit on the sidelines as Bayern prepare for the big match against Dortmund.
Ribery will be a huge loss considering the fact that the Frenchman is currently in the form of his life. But Pep Guardiola has a plethora of attacking talent to choose from including Mario Gotze who is set to feature against his former club for the first time since making his 37 million euro switch to the Allianz Arena.
Borussia Dortmund
Marcel Schmelzer – Expected to be out for 3-4 weeks
Mats Hummels – Expected to return in January, 2014
Germany’s international expeditions came at a hefty cost to last season’s Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund who were dealt with a twin injury blow. Both Schmelzer and Hummels have been ruled out of the important weekend clash against Bayern Munich as a result of their respective injuries during Germany’s 1-0 victory over England.
The BVB defensive line has been reduced to bare bones with Neven Subotic already ruled out for the entire season and Lukas Piszczek a serious doubt for Saturday’s clash.
Injuries have forced Klopp into taking drastic measures who has acquired the services of free agent Manuel Friedrich. The 34 year old formerly represented German side Bayer Leverkusen and it remains to be seen whether he will be fit enough to partner Sokratis Papastathopoulos at the heart of the defence as BVB prepare for their most important match of the season.
Chelsea
Ashley Cole – No expected return date
The Chelsea star aggravated a rib injury he suffered at the beginning of the season during England’s 1-0 loss to Germany, as a result of which the veteran left back has been ruled out of Chelsea’s away fixture against West Ham on Saturday.
The former Arsenal man’s absence will not be a huge loss for Jose Mourinho who benched the full back in Chelsea’s preceding fixtures against West Brom and Schalke after a disappointing showing in the 2-0 defeat at the hands of Newcastle. Spanish international César Azpilicueta is expected to maintain his berth as a left back in the starting line-up.
Manchester United
Phil Jones – Expected to return on November 24, 2013
The Manchester United man picked up a groin injury in England’s 2-0 loss against Chile and was unavailable for the match against Germany at Wembley. The injury will be a massive blow to David Moyes who was expected to field the former Blackburn man in a central midfield position in the absence of Michael Carrick.
The 21 year old has performed admirably whenever placed in the middle of the park and showed his worth in United’s 1-0 victory over Arsenal when he tirelessly ran all over the field keeping Arsenal’s wonderful attacking trio at bay. The Man United medical staff will however assess Jones, who still has a chance to make it to the squad for United’s weekend match against Cardiff City.
Real Madrid
Sami Khedira – Expected to be out for six months
Xabi Alonso – No expected return date
Real Madrid are one of the team’s who have suffered immensely as a result of the international week. Xabi Alonso was the first to be added to the injury list when the former Liverpool man was unfortunate to be at the receiving end of a hard tackle from a Guinean midfielder which ended the 31 year olds match.
A bigger blow to Los Blancos is the injury to Sami Khedira who will miss upto six months of football after he tore a ligament in his right knee in the match against Italy. Thanks to Madrid’s summer spending spree, the Castilian club have players in their ranks who can fill in the void left by the prolific duo with aplomb.
Asier Illarramendi has performed commendably since making his big money move from Real Sociedad in the summer and is likely to feature regularly in the coming weeks. Casemiro is another player who can take advantage of Real Madrid’s injury woes. The Brazilian has performed admirably whenever called upon but his playing time has been limited due to the plethora of talent Madrid have in the middle of the park.
Tottenham Hotspur
Christian Eriksen – Expected to return on December 22, 2013
The Tottenham man tottered off after 40 minutes during Denmark’s 2-1 victory over Norway as a result of a rash challenge from former Southampton defender Vegard Forren. The former Ajax man was expected to be out for three months after he ruptured his ankle ligaments, but a scan revealed that the 21 year old could return to action in a matter of four weeks.
Even though Spurs will miss Eriksen’s creativity in the final third, they have a host of players who can fill in for the Danish international. Lewis Holtby is one of the players who will be hoping for a regular run of games. Erik Lamela who grabbed his first goal for Tottenham in the match against FC Sheriff will also be looking to make full use of the opportunity.
