Leicester City suffered a blow after their rising star center back Wesley Fofana was carried off on a stretcher in Leicester’s pre-season clash with Europa League winners Villarreal.
The defender suffered a potentially serious injury that would likely see him out for the better part of the forthcoming 2021/2022 premier league and European season, considering the fact that Leicester will be playing in the UEFA Europa League.
Wesley Fofana after the tackle.
PHOTO: Courtesy
The defender was carrying the ball forward when he was caught by a lunging slide tackle from behind by Fernando Nino, forcing the Frenchman off injured at the hour-mark in a match played at the King Power Stadium on Wednesday night.
Leicester medics and physios immediately rushed to attend to Fofana whose ankle had visibly twisted and could be seen even by the fans present at the stadium and those watching on the TV. They then carried him off a stretcher as it was obvious he was no longer continuing with the friendly match.
The defender was attended to immediately by medics before being stretched off the pitch.
PHOTO: Courtesy
Leicester is yet to give an update on his injury but it gives the club a setback after Jonny Evans, another defender was injured. All this is happening just 10 days before the premier league return.
Leicester City signed the Frenchman in 2020 before the start of last season and impressed many in his debut season with the Foxes.
The 20-year-old defender missed only 10 top-flight matches and ranked third for the Foxes in terms of duels won (183), second for aerial success (91), and joint-first for interceptions with midfielder Wilfred Ndidi (61 each).
At the time of his injury, Leicester city was leading the tie 3-0 and still emerged the winners 3-2 after 90 minutes of play despite Villarreal pulling back two late goals.
Last season only two Premier League defenders, Aston Villa’s Matt Target and Fofana managed to attempt at least 50 tackles whilst also making 50 interceptions and 50 headers clearances. Among defenders who started at least 20 games, Fofana had the fourth-highest tackle success rate, with his percentage of 72.55 bettered only by Craig Dawson of Westham, Liverpool’s left-back Andrew Robertson and Newcastle United’s center half Federico Fernandez.
With these good stats to his name, Fofana earned a place in the coveted Premier League team of the season, 2020/2021.
Speaking after the match, Fofana posted on his Instagram page “It is a bad day today but I am in a tremendous club with a wonderful medical team. I will give you news as soon as I have a final diagnosis but we already know that I have a fibula fracture. I will come soon and stronger: do not worry.” He posted the caption on a picture of him smiling in his hospital bed.
The Foxes won the FA Cup last season in a thrilling tie against UEFA Champions League winners Chelsea and will now compete for the Community Shield trophy against Premier League champions Manchester City in a fixture scheduled for this Saturday 10th August 2021. Brendan Rodgers will be forced to play without two of his first-team defenders, Wesley Fofana and Jonny Evans.
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