New Delhi: Leicester City have been dealt a huge blow in their hunt for survival this season as start winger Abdul Fatawu has been ruled out for the rest of the Premier League season after suffering a significant knee injury.
Manager Steve Cooper confirmed the news, revealing that the 20-year-old sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury while playing for Ghana during the international break in a game against Angola.
“It’s a serious setback,” Cooper said. “ACL injuries are unfortunately common in football, but they remain severe, especially for young players like Fatawu. It’s tough for him to face this so early in his career.” The news of Fatawu’s injury comes right before an important clash against Chelsea, who are now managed by the man responsible for leading Leicester back to the top flight, Enzo Maresca.
Fatawu has been a bright spot for Leicester City since joining the club, contributing to their promotion campaign last season and making 11 Premier League appearances this term. His standout performance came against Southampton in October, when he came off the bench to inspire a remarkable comeback. Trailing 2-0, Leicester rallied to win 3-2, with Fatawu playing a pivotal role.
Former Premier League goalkeeper Shay Given hailed the young winger after that performance, describing him as “electrifying and immensely talented.” Given added that Fatawu had the ability to be a consistent starter for the Foxes. He had begun to cement his place in Leicester’s starting lineup in recent weeks and that makes his absence even more significant. The Foxes are currently 15th in the Premier League standings, with 10 points from their opening 11 games.
Summer Signings to Step up
Cooper acknowledged the disappointment for both the team and Fatawu but emphasized the club’s commitment to aiding his recovery. “Abdul is an exciting young player with immense potential,” Cooper said. “This injury is a pause, not an end, and we’ll ensure he has the support he needs to come back stronger in every way. Given his character and mentality, I have no doubt he’ll overcome this challenge.”
With Fatawu out for the season, this is chance for the club’s summer signings to step up and showcase exactly why they were brought into the mix. Both Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Jordan Ayew are capable of playing in Fatawu’s position but haven’t shown the best of their abilities. While Ayew has only contributed to four goals in 14 games since joining, De Cordova-Reid is yet to contribute to even a single one in his eight appearances.
Meanwhile, Leicester’s medical team will now focus on his rehabilitation, with Cooper confident that the youngster’s resilience will aid his recovery. For the 20-year-old, this is a significant hurdle early in a promising career, but his ability and determination suggest he will return to make a strong impact in the future. Meanwhile, Leicester will have to adjust as they prepare to host Chelsea in the Premier League this weekend.
