Super Eagles forward George Ilenikhena is set to benefit from Folarin Balogun’s absence for Monaco.
Monaco’s solid opening in Ligue 1 has been thanks to a fine mix of joint strength and outstanding individual work.
Denis Zakaria has already laid the foundations as captain, along with vice captain Thilo Kehrer, while Eliesse Ben Seghir and Folarin Balogun have been lethal up front.
A crucial marker against Stade Rennais at home before the overseas break, Balogun, a large signing for Arsenal in 2023, has clicked into gear, netting in three successive league games.
Injury Woes for Balogun
However, Balogun’s form has been halted by a dislocated shoulder he picked up in the same game.
During the international break, he confirmed the injury, which is expected to keep him sidelined for around two months.
He is a doubt for the highly anticipated Champions League match against his former club, Arsenal, in December due to this injury.
Now Monaco manager Adi Hütter will have to rely on other attacking options to keep up their collective trend in both Ligue 1 and European competition.
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George Ilenikhena to Step Up
George Ilenikhena will be one of the players benefiting from Balogun’s absence. The young Super eagles striker, who turned 18 earlier this year, has already made an impression this season, most notably putting away the winner against Barcelona in the Champions League.
Although inexperienced, Hütter sees him as a promising option. With the club unlikely to call upon other academy talents to fill Balogun’s void, Ilenikhena and the more seasoned Breel Embolo are expected to share the striker duties in Monaco’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation as revealed by GFFN.
Monaco’s Striking Depth
Monaco will need to replace Balogun’s one-off skill set, and there is no direct replacement from the academy.
Hütter has acknowledged that the club must adapt, leaning on different striker profiles.
While Embolo’s physicality and experience offer one solution, Ilenikhena’s youth and potential make him an exciting prospect for the future.
The combination of these two could be crucial in keeping Monaco’s attack potent during Balogun’s absence.
