AS Monaco preparing for life without Folarin Balogun | OneFootball

AS Monaco currently sit pretty at the top of Ligue 1. There has been a collective strength but also some impressive individual performances. Captain Denis Zakaria and vice-captain Thilo Kehrer have laid the foundations for Les Monégasques’ success, whilst further forward, Eliesse Ben Seghir and Folarin Balogun (23) have been prolific, even despite the heavy squad rotation.

Balogun, signed for big-money from Arsenal in the summer of 2023, has hit a purple patch, scoring in three consecutive Ligue 1 games for the first time since his arrival. His most recent goal came in a 2-1 victory over Stade Rennais in the final game before the international break.

Balogun a big doubt to face Arsenal

However, he was forced off later on in that game with what Adi Hütter described as a “very painful” shoulder injury. It meant he missed the international break with the USMNT. Tests over the international break showed that Balogun had suffered a dislocation.

Krépin Diatta was optimistic about his team-mate’s recovery on Thursday, noting that he saw Balogun running at the club’s training centre in La Turbie. “Balogun is out of the Lille OSC game for sure,” said Hütter in a pre-match press conference, attended by Get French Football News.

And beyond that too. His absence is expected to be lengthy, with L’Équipe estimating a recovery period of around two months. It means that he is a big doubt to face his former club Arsenal at the Emirates in the UEFA Champions League on 11th December. It is a blow for Monaco and for Hütter, who will now have to make do with two outright No.9 options.

Ilenikhena the obvious benefactor

Breel Embolo is the experienced option, George Ilenihena, who only recently celebrated his 18th birthday a more inexperienced pick. But the former Antwerp striker, who is in the process of obtaining French citizenship, will certainly get more chances to impress, as he already has.

Ilenikhena has already had an impact for the Principality club, netting the winner against Barcelona in the Champions League in September. “There will be more opportunities for him,” confirmed Hütter. “But don’t forget his age! He needs time to develop but he is an interesting striker. He is definitely an option to start [matches].”

AS Monaco’s George Ilenikhena – Photo credit: Luke Entwistle

Hütter outlined the axes of progression for the young striker, who has impressed since his summer move to Monaco. “Physically, he can improve and he can protect the ball better,” said Hütter. Those perceived weaknesses are, in contrast, Embolo’s biggest strengths. The Swiss international is also likely to see increased minutes in Balogun’s absence.

No Balogun profile within Monaco’s academy

Ilenikhena will perhaps be the biggest ‘benefactor’ of Balogun’s absence, especially with Hütter suggesting that a young player from the club’s Groupe Élite won’t be called in to fill the gap. Joan Tincres recently impressed against Barcelona in the UEFA Youth League, whilst Lucas Michal has been a consistent performer, and Saïmon Bouabré looks to be a star in the making.

“For me, Michal and Bouabré are the next talents that can follow the same path as Eliesse (Ben Seghir) and Maghnes (Akliouche),” admitted Hütter, however, their integration is not necessarily imminent.

“We are safe without Folarin. We have different profiles of strikers. We have to manage without Folarin. We don’t have the same profile as Folarin in our academy,” said the Monaco manager. It looks like it will be Ilenikhena and Embolo, therefore, who will fill the void left by the in-form Balogun, with the two likely vying for just one spot in Hütter’s preferred 4-2-3-1 system.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle – reporting from La Turbie