After leaving Celtic, Musonda described the scene: “Barcelona wished me that summer season the place I’d spend six months within the B workforce after which hopefully get promoted to the primary workforce however Vitesse additionally wished me. Chelsea stated, ‘Look, go to Vitesse’.
“In the course of the September worldwide break, I used to be enjoying a pleasant in Antwerp. The ball was within the air and the man simply put his studs into my knee. I used to be advised I’d be out for 2 months – it ended up being almost 4 years.”
Musonda injured the PCL in his knee, an virtually unheard‑of concern in soccer, when surgical procedure is often prevented to stop altering a participant’s explosiveness or operating model. Two months out turned a full season and when he examined the knee once more throughout his mortgage again at Vitesse, he broke down as soon as extra.
Searching for solutions, Musonda consulted his non-public doctorand was suggested to have surgical procedure. Chelsea initially refused, delaying him one other month, however Musonda finally gained the argument.
Throughout his eight‑to‑10‑month restoration, the worldwide coronavirus pandemic struck, slowing his progress additional by proscribing entry to membership amenities and employees.
At that stage, Musonda paid for components of his personal rehabilitation, hiring a non-public physiotherapist in Dubai at his personal expense – a transfer he says led to him being fined however that he in the end credit with serving to him return to coaching three and a half years after the preliminary harm.
Managers Maurizio Sarri and Lampard had come and gone, and Thomas Tuchel was now in cost at Chelsea.
“I met Tuchel within the automotive park and he advised me he knew who I used to be from Dortmund and to be prepared for the next pre-season,” Musonda stated. “I got here again and was advised to signal a contract at half my wage and to exit on mortgage by Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini, the mortgage coach.
“I used to be additionally advised I’d be coaching with the under-23s however I pulled one in all Tuchel’s coaches apart and he stated it was a mistake – that I used to be travelling with them to Eire the subsequent day for the tour. I skilled there and I acquired Covid. A nightmare.
“After I returned, Tuchel advised me there was some animosity within the entrance workplace. I stated I’d have performed without spending a dime that season to show myself at Chelsea and that if I wasn’t adequate, I’d stroll away when my contract expired.
“I knew from September that I would not play and it was powerful, particularly after being advised I had solely a 20% probability of enjoying soccer once more after I had the surgical procedure to then feeling totally match.
“I simply wanted a possibility at Chelsea, nevertheless it was a troublesome promote after so lengthy out. Mentally, that was one of many hardest moments. It killed me. Chelsea was the place I wished to make it.”
