The 2023/24 season was one to forget for Newcastle United’s Sven Botman.
ACL injuries have ruined careers in the past, but Sven Botman actually suffered two in one season.
The Newcastle United defender missed the majority of the start of the season, having torn his knee ligaments during a 1-0 win over Brentford. Botman then played on for two more games, helping Newcastle keep a clean sheet at the San Siro before a spell on the sidelines.
The decision was made for Botman to just rehab his injury rather than undergo surgery, and he returned to the Newcastle United team on December 16th 2023 during a 3-0 win over Fulham.
Tough season got even worse for Sven Botman
Following his return to fitness, Botman struggled. He was never the enforcer that he was during his debut year at St James’ Park, as Newcastle endured a very difficult period on the pitch.
Then came the second knee injury. Botman did his ACL again during an FA Cup defeat to Manchester City in March, and that resulted in the Dutchman needing to go under the knife.
In the aftermath, Newcastle fans questioned why Botman did not get surgery after the first injury. The club’s stance was criticised, at a time when fitness issues crippled the entire Toon squad.
Sven Botman shares surgery truth as Newcastle United return looms
Now Botman has set the record straight, with the 24-year-old speaking to the club’s official website about what really happened following his first knee injury at the start of last season.
It’s easy to say I could’ve had (surgery) earlier but if you’re in the moment, you know your body well,” he said.
“When I first had the injury, I actually played a few games afterwards and felt fine in those. At the other end, you have to make a choice of feeling fine or having rehab for eight months or so. It was quite hard to make that decision in that moment.
“I had some problems before but, for me personally, it wasn’t enough to have surgery. I was struggling with my knee and after the Man City game, I knew it was over for me. I think, for one reason, it might have been good that it happened so I’m now over that and it’s done.”
Newcastle United ready to move on from Botman mistake
In hindsight, it is easy to say that Botman should have got surgery in 2023. But the centre-back did not feel he needed to, while there are no guarantees that he would not have suffered a further injury down the line.
Now Newcastle are ready to move on, with Botman getting closer to his comeback. He is now back in light training, and it has been claimed that Botman could be back in Newcastle’s matchday squad very soon.
However, there will be an element of caution. While Newcastle are missing Botman, there will be an eagerness to ensure he does not return too early. That may set him back further.
But when Botman is fully fit and able to play again, he will be eager to rekindle his relationship with Fabian Schar. They were outstanding together in 2022/23 when Newcastle qualified for the Champions League.
Long-term, it remains to be seen who Botman’s centre-back partner will be. Newcastle are going to make a fresh move for Marc Guehi in January, and he would certainly be an outstanding candidate to play alongside our Rolls Royce.
