Monaco's Folarin Balogun Expected To Miss Four Months Due To Shoulder Surgery

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Monaco's head coach, Adi Hutter, has announced that forward Folarin Balogun will be sidelined for up to four months following shoulder surgery. The American player had previously missed seven matches across all competitions due to a dislocated shoulder sustained during Monaco's 2-1 win over Rennes, where he scored the decisive goal.

Balogun returned briefly at the end of last month in a Champions League match against Benfica and later played against Marseille in early December. Despite his return, persistent discomfort led to the decision for surgery last week. "Folarin will undergo surgery in the next few days and will be out for around three months," Hutter stated during a press conference.

This season, Balogun has scored three goals in seven league appearances. Only Eliesse Ben Seghir has scored more for Monaco with four goals, despite playing eight additional games. Breel Embolo leads the team with an expected goals (xG) total of 5.62, surpassing Balogun's contributions.

The absence of Balogun is a significant setback for Hutter as Monaco currently sits third in the Ligue 1 standings after 15 games. They face Paris Saint-Germain this Wednesday, aware that a loss would widen the gap to 10 points behind the league leaders.

Balogun's injury occurred during a crucial period for Monaco. His performance had been pivotal, especially considering his limited appearances compared to other top scorers on the team. The decision to proceed with surgery was made collectively by Balogun and the club after evaluating his ongoing discomfort.

Monaco must now adapt their strategy without one of their key forwards. The team's ability to maintain their position in the standings will be tested as they navigate upcoming fixtures without Balogun's presence on the field.