George Overhill

Sat 1 April 2023 8:40, UK

Alexi Lalas fears that Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams may never be able to get back to his best if his hamstring issue becomes chronic, admitting that it would break his heart.

Phil Hay reported in The Athletic on 28 March that the American had been forced to undergo surgery on the injury that had kept him out over the international break, with a timescale for his return unknown.

The news has left former US international Lalas is concerned that the “incredible” player and leader that Adams is for the Whites and his country might be lost if this is the start of an ongoing problem that derails his career.

Speaking on his State of the Union Podcast Lalas said: “Big loss for both teams. Obviously for Leeds who continue to try to figure out a way to stay up, and for the US going forward this summer… the work that he does is vital to the success of whatever team he’s playing for and I think we’ve seen that with Leeds. We’ve certainly seen that with the USMNT.

“Many great players have had problems, and I worry that it becomes chronic. I’m glad at least they’re shutting him down and they’re gonna fix it here. Knock on wood that the surgery goes well and he can come back better than before.

“But if this becomes a problem going forward that’s not a good thing. And it would break my heart because the sky is the limit I think for Tyler Adams unless his body starts to break down.”

Concern

Hamstring problems do have the potential to rob players of what previously made them special, with the likes of Michael Owen never the same once he lost the speed that characterised his younger years.

Off the back of one surgery it seems to be leaping to the extreme for Lalas to already be fearing for Adams’ entire career but given his importance to the USMNT it is going to be a concern across the Atlantic, as it is now in West Yorkshire.

That the 24-year-old’s game isn’t based entirely on pace down the wing or off the shoulder of the defender is perhaps a positive, but if he lost a step and weren’t able to snap around the midfield it would take away his effectiveness.

It seems likely that he doesn’t play again this season if there is any risk of recurring injury, which is a significant blow to Javi Gracia’s plans to keep the club away from the drop.

Assuming the manager is able to achieve that and Adams isn’t seen until next season the hope has to be that plenty of time off to recover would allow him to pick up where he left off.

But for a knock picked up in training to apparently have now ended his season is obviously not a positive development, and if a former pro is now raising concerns over his long-term future it is not a particularly comforting situation for Whites supporters.

In other Leeds United news, the club could be without another player with a potential ban on the cards amid “very serious” accusations.

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