Switzerland's Johan Manzambi ruled out of Nations League games with calf injury

Manzambi leaves the squad

Johan Manzambi, the 21-year-old Aston Villa midfielder, joined Switzerland's camp on Monday with a calf problem. The Swiss Football Association (SFV) said on Thursday morning, 12 November, that his condition had not improved enough despite intensive treatment and further examinations. He returned to his club the same day, in agreement with Aston Villa, and the federation decided against calling up a replacement. The federation's statement read:

“Despite intensive medical treatment and further examinations, his condition has not improved sufficiently.”

Manzambi is not the only absentee. Captain Granit Xhaka did not travel because of a calf injury, and fourth goalkeeper Silas Huber is out with a concussion after a ball struck him in the face in training. Manzambi is the third player to miss the camp through injury.

Points on the line in Maribor

Switzerland have won all four of their Nations League games this autumn. A point in Maribor on Friday, 13 November, would guarantee a direct return to the competition's top league. The final fixture is at home against Scotland in St. Gallen on Monday, 16 November, which coach Murat Yakin could use to look at fill-in players. Yakin originally named 28 players for the last camp of the year, but the number is now 26 after Huber and Manzambi left.

Manzambi's form at Aston Villa

Manzambi, a summer signing from Freiburg for £60million, has two goals and three assists in six Premier League starts, according to the Evening Standard. 20 Minuten reports that these returns came in only half of the league minutes available to him. The Athletic ranks him 27th on its list of the 50 in-form Premier League players, judging performance this season rather than reputation. He was forced off at Old Trafford in the 78th minute of Aston Villa's 4-4 draw with Manchester United after a strong challenge from Leny Yoro. Aston Villa return on Saturday, 21 November, against Sunderland at Villa Park, and it is unclear whether Manzambi will be available for that match.

Embolo's return and the dispute with the federation

Breel Embolo rejoined the national team this week after missing the last four internationals. Pierluigi Tami left him out before the September and October camp because he had not told the federation that his conviction for forged Covid certificates had become final. About two weeks ago, Embolo told CH Media that the SFV had mixed up his case with that of Granit Xhaka. NZZ reports that his frustration with the federation's leadership finds understanding within the squad. In the same interview he said:

“With Muri, with Tami and with the team, I have no problem.”

Instead of settling the matter internally, Embolo took it to the media. NZZ concedes that he has a point, since the federation would probably not have dropped him had Xhaka's own case not come out first.