Scan delivers fresh setback for Crystal Palace’s Chadi Riad

Chadi Riad’s season has been ended by an anterior cruciate ligament tear, in a major early-season setback for the Crystal Palace defender and Morocco international.

Medical tests carried out this week confirmed the injury after Riad was hurt during Crystal Palace’s match against Everton. The 22-year-old was taken from the pitch on a stretcher in the 70th minute, and subsequent examinations revealed damage to his anterior cruciate ligament.

The injury is the second of its kind in Riad’s career. He previously missed a large part of his first season at Crystal Palace after joining the English club from Barcelona in a £12m transfer.

According to the Daily Mail, the latest diagnosis means Riad will not play again for Crystal Palace this season. It represents another serious interruption to the progress of a player who had only recently established himself more consistently in the team.

Riad had begun to play a regular role during the closing stages of last season, earning increasing opportunities under the Crystal Palace coaching staff. He was then selected in the starting line-up for the final of the Conference League, helping his side secure the trophy by beating Rayo Vallecano.

That progress had put Riad in a strong position as he looked to retain his place in the Crystal Palace defence. He had started the new campaign with high ambitions, but those plans have been abruptly changed by the severity of the injury.

The setback will also create another issue for Crystal Palace’s coaching staff as they assess their defensive options. The club had already acted in the transfer market to strengthen that area, bringing in Axel Disasi on loan from Chelsea.

Crystal Palace are also close to completing a move for Joel Ordonez from Club Brugge, with the Ecuadorian defender expected to provide further competition and cover at the back.

Riad’s absence therefore comes after the club had begun reshaping its defence, but his injury leaves Crystal Palace without a player who had been working to secure a more established position in the side. His return will now become the next stage of a rehabilitation process following a second anterior cruciate ligament problem.

The Moroccan defender’s previous spell on the sidelines came during his first season at Crystal Palace, following his move from Barcelona. After recovering, he was able to play a more prominent part in the latter part of last season and feature in the Conference League final victory over Rayo Vallecano.

That achievement had marked an important moment in Riad’s development, but the confirmed diagnosis has brought his current campaign to an early end.