Vermaelen's got history with injuries and Barça situation is similar to one Madrid had with Woodgate

Thomas Vermaelen will be operated on in Finland this weekend after he failed to overcome the muscle problems which have hampered him since he signed for Barcelona. Upon his arrival, the Belgian had been called a key piece of Barça's defence. 

His style was set to fit the team perfectly: solid, quick, good on the ball, good in the air... Andoni Zubizarreta - one of the defender's biggest fans - praised him as a signing capable of "immediate performance" and suggested he wouldn't even need to adapt. But it's not worked out like that.

Vermaelen has not played an official game since June 22, when he was involved for his country against Russia at the World Cup. His only appearance in any sort of match since then was for Barça B against Indonesia U19s. 

He played 63 minutes and scored a header. That's it, though, in 158 days as a Cule.

Last weekend, when it seemed he was ready to make his first team debut, he 'broke' again. And so, finally, he will head off for surgery - something some medics had already recommended. Zubizarreta's conservative treatment didn't work.

Injuries have disrupted the 29-year-old's career for a while now. Since 2010, when he had an operation on his Achilles, physical mishaps have been frequent. He has spent over 500 days out of action during this period.

With Arsenal last season, he missed 17 matches and played in 21 - only 13 as a starter, though. In July 2013 a back problem kept him out for two months; in January 2014 a knee injury ruled him out for another two. 

Vermaelen will now be in good hands. Finnish specialist Sakari Orava has, among others, previously worked with Pep Guardiola. More recently, he linked up with Ramon Cugat to help Pol Calvet return to fitness. Calvet's situation was very similar to Vermaelen's; he too spent five months out. 

WOODGATE PRECEDENT

The situation draws memories of other footballers who, after signing for a new club, have struggled with injuries. One of the more infamous examples is Jonathan Woodgate, who played for Real Madrid between 2004 and 2006. 

He didn't play in his first season made 14 appearances in his second campgian. Madrid had paid Newcastle €20million for him, but he went on to spend a total of 452 days injured.

When he did eventually make his debut for Los Blancos, against Athletic, he scored an own goal and was sent off. It's fair to say the English defender didn't enjoy a great deal of luck in Spain.