Ajax will have to do without Branco van den Boomen at least until the winter break. The midfielder has an injury to his left knee and had to undergo surgery. It is expected that he will be able to train with John van ‘t Schip’s selection again in the new year.
Van den Boomen suffered an injury to his left knee during the home match against SC Heerenveen. He played through that match, but in the days that followed the pain persisted. Van den Boomen therefore missed the matches against Brighton & Hove Albion and Almere City and also had to undergo surgery last week. “It’s nice that I was able to have the operation quickly,” said the midfielder. “A period of rehabilitation has now started for me.”
Between fear and hope
After the match against Almere, coach Van ‘t Schip announced that he already feared that Van den Boomen would have to undergo surgery, but hoped that the injury will not be too bad. The midfielder will no longer be available until the winter break. “If the rehabilitation goes as expected, I will be able to participate with the team again after the winter break in the preparation for the second half of the season,” Van den Boomen said.
The midfielder returned to Ajax on a free transfer this summer, where he followed part of his training. He started as a starter under Maurice Steijn, but ended up on the bench after inferior performances. Under Van ‘t Schip he regained some of his form and returned to the starting line-up. Due to the injury, Van den Boomen will miss the matches with Vitesse, Olympique Marseille, Sparta Rotterdam and AEK Athens.