Alassane Plea, the French-Malian striker recently signed by PSV Eindhoven, faces a significant setback in his career following a serious knee injury that will sideline him for the rest of 2025 and potentially into 2026. This development was confirmed by PSV after Plea sustained cartilage damage in his right knee during an Eredivisie away match against FC Twente.
The injury occurred after a challenge from FC Twente defender Robin Pröpper, which forced Plea off the field in the 22nd minute of the game.
Plea’s injury casts a shadow over PSV’s attacking options, especially considering the circumstances surrounding the club’s recent striker lineup. Earlier this year, PSV had lost Luuk de Jong, who did not return to the club. Adding to their difficulties, American forward Ricardo Pepi remains unavailable due to recovery from an ACL injury sustained back in January 2025.
The timing was particularly harsh for Plea, who had only joined PSV that summer from Borussia Mönchengladbach, arriving with expectations to boost PSV’s offense in both domestic and European competitions.
The PSV football management expressed deep disappointment with the injury news. Earnest Stewart, PSV’s Director of Football Affairs, stated, “This is a very unfortunate outcome, especially for Alassane and, of course, for PSV. We wish Alassane all the best and will support him as much as possible in his rehabilitation process.”
The club announced that Plea will undergo surgery soon and acknowledged that his absence would likely extend through the remainder of the first half of the season and possibly part of the second half as well.
The injury not only impacts Plea personally but also forces PSV into a challenging position. With two of their key strikers sidelined, the team may need to explore the transfer market to bolster their forward line.
Pele’s injury has left the club’s tactical setup vulnerable, with head coach Peter Bosz noting before the match against FC Twente that patience was required with Pepi’s return. Now, with Plea also out, the pressure will mount on PSV’s squad to adapt or reinforce urgently.
Alassane Plea, aged 32, has endured a history of injuries across his career, but this latest cartilage damage marks one of his most serious setbacks. Throughout his professional journey, Plea has shown resilience, overcoming multiple injuries ranging from muscle strains to more severe issues like a meniscus tear and cruciate ligament damage during his earlier career stages.
Before his move to PSV, Plea made a name for himself at Borussia Mönchengladbach, where he evolved into one of Europe’s most reliable forwards. His style, characterized by clinical finishing and intelligent positioning, earned praise from coaches and teammates alike.
Plea began his professional career at Lyon and had a notable spell at Nice before making his mark in the Bundesliga. His decision to join PSV was seen as a fresh chapter, aimed at contributing his experience and goal-scoring prowess to the reigning Dutch champions.
Robin Pröpper, whose tackle led to Plea’s injury, expressed regret over the incident. He stated, “It’s terrible. I went full throttle for the ball… I hope he’s okay,” highlighting the accidental nature of the injury amidst the competitive intensity of the match.