Roma manager Jose Mourinho has hit out at social media claims that Felix Afena-Gyan was to blame for a serious injury sustained by Georginio Wijnaldum in training. The Netherlands international has suffered a fractured tibia and will be sent for further scans next week.
Wijnaldum joined the Serie A side on loan from Paris Saint-Germain this summer and featured for just 10 minutes in their opening game of the season as they beat Salernitana last week.
The ex-Liverpool midfielder had been excited to get his career back on track following his 2021-22 struggles in the French capital but will now miss a significant chunk of the campaign.
What has been said about Wijnaldum's injury?
A statement from Roma on Sunday read: "Following an injury sustained during training on Sunday afternoon, Georginio Wijnaldum subsequently underwent medical tests that confirmed the presence of a fracture to the tibia in his right leg.
"The player will undergo further assessments in the coming days."
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Mourinho has since admitted it's a big blow to his team and has defended teenager Felix Afena-Gyan, who was reportedly involved in the collision during which Wijnaldum was injured.
Getty Images“Sometimes football can be sh*t," the Portuguese tactician wrote on Instagram ahead of his team's Serie A clash with Cremonese on Monday night. "In only 2 weeks, Gini became one of us because of his human qualities. (his football qualities we already knew).
“Sadly, In a very unfortunate accident he had a bad injury that will keep him away from playing for a long time.
“But it’s not just football to be sh*t sometimes, people can also be… Those who initiated the rumours that a top kid like Felix could be responsible for what happened are real scum.
“Let’s all be together tonight: we play for Roma, for Gini and for Felix.”
How long will Wijnaldum be out of action?
Roma have not yet declared how long the former Liverpool star is expected to be out.
The Italian club will find out the extent of the issue in the coming days when the results from further tests come in.
Wijnaldum was a late substitute against Salernitana last week and came on to play as an attacking midfielder, but he is expected to play in a deeper role for Roma.
Mourinho still has the likes of Bryan Cristante and Lorenzo Pellegrini available for the central midfield roles.