Tyler Adams’ £23 million summer transfer to Bournemouth, after Chelsea originally decided against pursuing a deal, was made with full knowledge on the part of Leeds United that he may find it difficult to pass a physical.
At Elland Road, injuries have long been a problem. Tyler Adams’ hamstring injury last season may have played a significant role in Leeds’ fall in the Premier League from April to May.
The midfield disintegrated after the USMNT captain was given a season-ending injury, and now that the 24-year-old has gone on, the perception of Adams’ Leeds ‘legacy’ has completely shifted.
What’s going on at Bournemouth with Adams?
Adams’ treatment plan at the start of the season was hamstring rehabilitation, first at Thorp Arch and then at Bournemouth once his £23 million transfer was finalised in August.
Last week, he made his long-awaited Cherries debut in the EFL Cup against Stoke City at home, coming in as a substitute in a straightforward 2-0 victory.
Andoni Iraola said during the game that the midfielder will be out “for some time” due to a flare-up in the same hamstring.
Did Leeds realise this may be a problem?
Now that Adams was nearing an injury comeback, Leeds were well aware that this may have been the case, according to The Athletic’s Phil Hay.
Prior to pulling the plug due to worries over this injury, Chelsea had initially agreed to sign the US player.
Hay expressed the following about Leeds’ ongoing concerns over Adams:
It does say a lot that he’s back on the treatment table, but that was surely going to happen if he was rushed back too quickly.
There’s no denying that Adams is a Premier League quality player, but we have done well to get this amount of money for someone who is going to miss half a season from the off.
With Ethan Ampadu in the side right now, we are actually in a better position having sold Adams for so much, especially with his injuries flaring up now.
He’s back on the operating table, which does say a lot, but if he was brought back too rapidly, that was unavoidably going to happen.
Adams is a Premier League player without a doubt, but we did well to get this kind of money for a guy who will miss the first half of the season.
We are really in a stronger position now that Ethan Ampadu is in the starting lineup after selling Adams for such a high price, especially with his problems acting up right now.
