Alassane Pléa’s season with PSV Eindhoven has been cut short after the French-Malian forward sustained a serious knee injury during the Eredivisie clash at the weekend.
The 31-year-old striker was forced off in the 22nd minute of PSV’s second league match after a heavy challenge from Robin Pröpper. PSV confirmed on Monday that medical scans revealed cartilage damage in his right knee, ruling him out until early 2025. Despite initially attempting to continue, Pléa was unable to return to the pitch, with the severity of the injury immediately evident.
The timing of the setback is especially disappointing as Pléa had only joined PSV this summer from Borussia Mönchengladbach. The French-Malian forward had been seen as a crucial addition to the reigning Dutch champions, expected to bolster their attacking options and provide valuable experience in both domestic and European competitions.
Head coach Peter Bosz now faces the challenge of reshaping his front line. PSV confirmed in their statement that Pléa will be absent “for the remainder of the first half of the season, and possibly part of the second half as well.” The club also revealed they are considering reinforcing their attack to offset the absence of Pléa and American striker Ricardo Pepi, who is also unavailable.
Despite losing two forwards, PSV have made a strong start to the campaign. They lifted the Dutch Super Cup with a 2-1 victory over Go Ahead Eagles and followed up with two successive league wins.
The defending champions appear well-positioned at the top of the Eredivisie, but the long-term absence of Pléa leaves a significant gap in their attack.
Pléa, known for his versatility and finishing ability, was brought in to ease the burden on captain Luuk de Jong and add greater depth to the squad.
His experience from six successful seasons in the Bundesliga with Mönchengladbach had made him an important acquisition for Bosz’s side. PSV had expected him to play a leading role in their title defence, as well as in their push for progress in Europe.
The French-Malian striker will now begin a lengthy rehabilitation process, with hopes of returning in 2025 for the crucial stages of the season.
PSV remain optimistic that he can still contribute when the competition reaches its decisive moments, particularly if the team maintain their strong league form and remain competitive on the European stage.
In the meantime, Bosz is likely to look within his squad, giving opportunities to emerging talents to step into the void. While PSV may still seek reinforcements in the transfer market, the manager will be counting on his side’s depth and resilience to overcome this setback.
For Pléa, this marks a frustrating start to his career in the Netherlands. After leaving Mönchengladbach in search of a new challenge, the French-Malian forward now faces months on the sidelines.
His focus will be on recovery, with PSV hopeful that his return can provide a timely boost during the decisive period of the season.
Alassane Pléa will be out of action for the foreseeable future after sustaining cartilage damage in his knee.
Unfortunately, PSV does not expect the 32-year-old striker to be available for the remainder of the first half of the season and possibly a part of the second half.
— PSV (@PSV) August 18, 2025
