Leicester target French international striker: our verdict

Leicester City are reportedly in the market for a striker. This French international, currently at
Borussia Monchengladbach, may be the one.

Over the weekend it was speculated that Leicester City are monitoring a French international attacker. That bombshell peaked Foxes of Leicester’s interest, to say the least. Who could it be: Olivier Giroud, Kylian Mbappe?

Well, the latter might be fanciful daydreaming from this writer; while Giroud would be a good addition to the substitutes bench. However, the freshly linked striker is neither of the two: it is Alassane Plea of Borussia Monchengladbach of German top-flight division, the Bundesliga.

Who is Leicester City target Alassane Plea?

Earlier in his career Plea played for Lyon and Nice in French Ligue 1. Although his most impressive form and resulting notoriety occurred whilst playing for Gladbach.

His one cap for France materialized with the side from Germany, too. However, his appearance really came about following injuries to Manchester United’s Anthony Martial along with Arsenal’s Alexandre Lacazette in 2018. This does place the 27 year-old in world-class company, albeit as an understudy.

Would Plea be a decent signing?

Plea’s calibre as a quality forward is compounded by his consistent youth appearances in the French national set-up. No, he hasn’t managed to transition that promise into being a regular for his country – but they are the best team in the world with a plethora of excellent choices.

This campaign the man of Malian descent has shone in the statistical department: with 15 goal involvements in a competitive league. Eight goals show a prowess in front of goal. Notwithstanding the seven assists, which naturally enlighten of a more mature, well-rounded talent. United are also said to be interested, unsurprisingly.

Now, style-wise we can’t praise Plea enough, he is slick: gliding past opponents with pace, skill, or a combination of both. He he scores headed goal; there are also ranging finishes with either foot. There you have it, he’s a very good player – at that standard.

The division he is in is inferior to the Premier League, obviously, so proving himself in England would be a whole different proposition. Though if the price is fair, the Foxes could find another gem. Transfermrkt assesses Plea’s value at around £21.6 million – a cheap punt on a multitasking striker, these days.