Pasalic: "I felt pain in my lower back and the recording showed that my spinal disc moved a lit
Mario Pasalic, a midfielder who started out his career for Hajduk Split before moving to Chelsea for a reported £3 million in 2014, has enjoyed life out on loan. Until now. Chelsea loaned him to Elche and Monaco since his arrival at Stamford Bridge, but he explains to Goal that he has suffered a set back in his development.
"Everything together lengthened a little bit. I haven’t been on the field for almost two months, since St.Etienne", said Pasalic from the Chelsea camp in which he does his therapies, workouts, strengthens his back muscles and regularly swims each day for about three hours.
Pasalic explains exactly why he hasn't stepped a foot on a football pitch in nearly two months and it turns out to be quite scary.
"I felt pain in my lower back and the recording showed that my spinal disc moved a little, but enough to irritate my nerve. After medical examinations I have done therapy and exercises in Monaco, and everything was alright up until I ran back on the field. The pain came back so I consulted with the doctors from Chelsea and they invited me to London. I’m here three weeks now. It’s getting better, I already work with 50-60% intensity and I hope I will be back on the field soon." revealed Mario.
"At first I was quite bothered, but now I have cleaned my mind and I’m not thinking about anything else except to recover as soon as possible and get back on the field."
Since Pasalic has returned to Chelsea for treatment, his Monaco team have conceded their 2nd place spot to Lyon after a shock 4-1 defeat to Lille.
"We were at great advantage up until a couple of rounds, we counted on the Champions League, we thought it was secure for us, but now everything together got a bit complicated. I hope we will fight through and if I could help by playing in a couple of matches there wouldn’t be anyone happier than me. Every match until the end of the season is a bonus for me."
Pasalic was signed when Jose Mourinho was manager at Chelsea. Now, Hiddink is on the hot bench with Conte being prepared as his replacement for the summer, but Pasalic is only concentrating on his recovery.
"My status is well known. I play for Chelsea and it will be as they decide. So far I am happy with how my career developed and we will see what happens next. As for now, I am fully concentrated on my therapy and a fast return to the field."
Pasalic also speaks about how Chelsea players are encouraging him.
"We see each other and after the match we talk, especially with Ivanović and Matić; somehow I am kind of the closest. Everybody is very positive, they encourage me and that is what makes me more optimistic, too."
