OL: the Jeff Queen-Adelaide phoenix wants to rise from the ashes

Long deprived of soccer following two cruciate ligament ruptures, Jeff Reine-Adelaide is more vengeful than ever. The versatile midfielder is determined to have his say at OL, where he wants to finally get everyone on the same page.

Jeff Queen-Adelaide wants to make up for lost time. For almost two years, he was deprived of what he loves most in the world, namely playing soccer. The fault of two serious knee injuries. The first occurred on December 15, 2019 at the reception of Rennes. Victim of a rupture of the cruciate ligament of the right knee, the Frenchman had been stopped in full swing, just like his teammate Memphis Depay, who had suffered the same injury to the left knee during this meeting. After fighting and supporting each other, the two men made their comeback during the Final 8.

Two serious injuries

A few weeks later, JRA, treated incomprehensibly by Rudi Garcia, had left the OL to join Nice in the form of a loan. But the former player of Angers was again slowed down by a rupture of cruciate ligaments on February 3, 2021 during the derby against Monaco. Unfortunately, it is his left knee that was affected this time. A terrible blow for the Frenchman, who had worked so hard to return. If he admitted in an interview with L’Equipe that stopping everything had crossed his mind, Reine-Adelaïde did not give up and went back to work without flinching.

Mentally stronger now, he returned to competition on February 12 with the OL reserve team. Then, Peter Bosz put him in for 8 minutes against Lorient on March 4. Since then, the Dutch coach has continued to integrate him gently. He has played ten games in all competitions. All as a substitute. This is understandable for the 24-year-old, since the OL was playing big during the end of the season. But JRA also wants to bring to his team, he who has the fangs after two difficult years.

A smooth return

“The lack of rhythm made me maybe a little apprehensive. At the beginning, it was a bit tricky. I just came out of a period with two cruciate ligament injuries. But as time goes by, I feel better and better. I’m letting go in training. In matches, I don’t have any apprehension. I have to fill in the gaps. (…) Today for me to find my level at a given time, I must play. The coach will decide if I play or not. But I will give everything I have to be as efficient as possible. (…) Of course, as a competitor I want to play as often as possible. But it has been a difficult year for everyone.

He continues: “we had some difficult matches when I came back. The coach is trying to put me in the best conditions so that I can flourish on the field. The next step will be the end of the season and next year. (…) But it has been two very complicated years. I had two crosses. I haven’t had a vacation for a long time. Having some will be good. But I still have the recovery in mind, I must arrive with a fresh head”. Just to be ready to give his best to finally put everyone in agreement at OL.

JRA wants to impose himself at OL

Because the plan of JRA is to continue in Lyon next year as explained on our site a few days ago and confirmed by the player in a press conference. “Become one of the executives of the OL? I do not know. I hope to be part of this project. I want to. I feel good in this group. I hope to contribute to the building next year”. And he will have to fight all the more because the competition will be fierce. “No, I don’t need any guarantees. I like the competition and the challenge. There’s a lot of competition here this season and next season too. But it allows me to be better and to excel. It’s good, it doesn’t scare me”.

Sure of his strengths and qualities, the new JRA is ready to start again on the right foot between Rhône and Saône where he wants to convince the fans, who did not appreciate his comments before his loan to Nice. “Yes, it’s true that there was a departure and a misunderstanding of the public. They were strong words. I was young, I think at times I expressed myself badly. At no time was it against the club or the fans. I think everyone understood what we were getting at. Everyone has also understood today what his ambitions are for next year. More than ever ready to make up for lost time, Jeff Reine-Adelaïde is as hungry as a lion! Good news for the Gones.