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A couple of days ago we discussed the unenviable dilemma facing Kevin Strootman; in the wake of recurring knee pain, would he continue on the rehab path or opt for a third surgery on his left knee? Well, if the latest reports prove correct, Strootman has chosen option B, as he will reportedly undergo his third surgical procedure in 18 months, though the precise date and location of the surgery have yet to be determined.
We won't go over the gory details again, but suffice it to say, Strootman's knee hasn't exactly been his best friend for the past year-and-a-half. Following a series of surgeries and stop and start rehabilitations, Strootman made a handful of spot appearances last winter, only to succumb to his knee once more in January.
As the spring turned into summer, Roma felt confident that Strootman would return at some point in the fall, but a funny thing happened on the club's pre-season tour of Australia, Strootman's knee started acting up like a toddler in a grocery store, casting his immediate future into further doubt.
Strootman's surgery will reportedly keep him out for at least half the season, though given his recent medical history, this seems like an optimistic timetable. Furthermore, it has been widely reported that his next procedure will be a two-stage intervention, essentially meaning he'll be having not one but two procedures on his knee, which would inevitably lengthen his recovery and rehab schedule.
Despite his travails over the past 18 months or so, Roma's commitment to Strootman has never wavered, and according to Il Messaggero the club is prepared to bolster their faith in him by offering him a new contract extension.
There's no getting around it, this is a huge blow to Roma in the immediate sense, particularly as they have not reinforced the midfield whatsoever this offseason, while Strootman, in addition to dealing with yet another round of rehab, has to contend with the fact that his career, for all intents and purposes, may be over.