Just ten days before the Premier League season starts, Leicester City have fresh injury concerns around Wesley Fofana. The 20-year-old French defender suffered a fractured fibula during their pre-season win against Spanish side, Villarreal, in a match at the King Power Stadium.
Wesley Fofana Remains Optimistic Despite Injury
Hello guys, many thanks for all your messages. It is a bad day today but I am in a tremendous club with a wonderful medical team. I will give you news as a soon as I have a final diagnosis but we already know that I have a fibula fracture. I will come back soon and stronger pic.twitter.com/lYIccZ0Bb9
— Wesley Fofana (@Wesley_Fofana3) August 4, 2021
A Challenge Less Than Friendly
Villarreal forward, Fer Niño, was at fault for Fofana’s injury. His late lunge left for uncomfortable viewing. The tackle left the young French defender in a heap on the floor and requiring oxygen before being stretchered off the pitch in front of the home crowd.
The game finished 3-2 to Leicester City, who had Caglar Soyuncu, Harvey Barnes and Ayoze Perez on the scoresheet. However, their victory was marred following the injury to Fofana, who looks set for a lengthy period on the sidelines.
Disappointment for Wesley Fofana
When Leicester City signed Fofana from Saint-Etienne last season for £30 million, he settled immediately and became a great asset to Brendan Rogers. In total, he finished his debut season with 38 appearances in all competitions. He was also a key performer as the club won their first FA Cup, beating Chelsea in the final.
Many nod to the work of veteran centre-back, Johnny Evans, in helping Fofana succeed on the pitch. Evans himself went off injured in their previous pre-season match against QPR, a game that finished 3-3. Now, Leicester go into the Community Shield against Manchester City on Saturday without two of their best defensive options.
The injury to Wesley Fofana has led to an outpouring of support from footballers from a host of clubs. Midfielder, James Maddison, posted an image of Fofana on Instagram with the caption: “I love you little brother.” Maddison has been subject to interest from Arsenal but his message showed the close bond between the pair.
What This Means for Leicester City’s Transfer Plans
If Leicester wanted cover for Evans, following his injury, they are now desperate to bring in new defenders ahead of the new season. Now that clubs are aware of this, the Foxes may be forced to pay a premium price to bring in the quality players that they will require if they are to replicate, or even better, their fifth place finish last season.
Fofana’s fractured fibula news could not have come at a worse time as they look to put their finishing touches on preparations for the season. Leicester City start their Premier League campaign at home to Wolves on August 15 at 3pm.
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
