Donetsk Shakhtar has encountered a serious problem at the start of preparations for the new season. The club has suffered a significant personnel loss as one of its most promising young players has been injured. This incident will not only keep the player out of action for a significant period but also force adjustments to the "miners'" transfer ambitions.
Injury on the first training session
19-year-old Gambian forward Mochamadou Kanté, whose name became widely known thanks to phenomenal performances last season, felt severe discomfort immediately after his first training session with the youth team. The issue arose in the adductor muscle area.
Medical examinations confirmed the doctors' worst fears. According to sources, the player's recovery will take between 6 and 8 weeks. This means Kanté will miss the entire pre-season preparation phase and will be unable to help his teammates at the start of the new season. His return to the main squad is not expected before September.
Disruption of transfer plans
The injury to the young talent has had a direct impact on the club's strategy during the summer transfer window. Previously, Shakhtar's management planned to loan Kanté to Odesa's Chornomorets, which returned to the Ukrainian Premier League following the previous season.
The deal was practically finalized: the clubs had already agreed on the terms, and the transfer depended solely on the player's consent. However, due to the injury sustained, implementing this option has become impossible in the near future.
Why Kanté is so important
Mochamadou Kanté became a true sensation in last season's U-19 championship. His goal-scoring record was so impressive that it forced the Donetsk club to act in advance. To protect their asset from other teams' interest, Shakhtar signed a new long-term contract with the Gambian this summer, valid until 2031.
Now, the "miners" will have to wait for the return of their key young asset, who was supposed to gain playing experience in the top division of Ukraine.
