Khephren Thuram Faces Knee Surgery Consultation at Juventus

Khephren Thuram’s difficult start to life at Juventus has taken a worrying turn, with the midfielder left out of the squad again and now heading for a decisive knee consultation next week.

The Frenchman, already absent from the opening Serie A win over Frosinone, has not been called up for this evening’s clash with Parma at the Allianz Stadium as his patellofemoral syndrome continues to trouble him. The issue has been lingering since the end of last season and has limited his involvement throughout pre-season, where he was largely forced to train away from the main group.

What had initially looked like a manageable problem now sits on the brink of becoming something far more serious. Italian outlets Sky Sport and Gazzetta report that Thuram will travel to France next week to see knee specialist Bertrand Sonnery Cottet, who will help determine whether surgery is necessary.

This is no routine visit. Sonnery Cottet is the same surgeon who operated on Gleison Bremer for cruciate ligament and meniscus damage, and on Federico Gatti for a meniscus problem in recent years. When Juventus send a player to him, it usually signals a major decision is coming.

For Luciano Spalletti, the timing could hardly be worse. The Juventus coach did not attempt to downplay the situation in his Friday press conference, openly admitting he was “very worried” about Thuram’s condition. The midfielder was signed to add power, legs and presence to the Bianconeri engine room. Instead, the club is still waiting to see him fully fit in competitive action.

He will not feature tonight against Parma, and the sense is growing that it may be some time before he does. The consultation in France will effectively dictate the rhythm of his season: a conservative approach and gradual build-up, or surgery and a long spell on the sidelines.

For now, Juventus must plan without him. The real question is how long that plan will have to last.