ASSE Mercato: Roussey urges athletic striker as Stassin's future looms

With the summer transfer window drawing to a close, ASSE Mercato faces uncertainty over the future of 21‑year‑old Belgian forward Lucas Stassin, whose possible departure has prompted former Saint‑Étienne coach Laurent Roussey to recommend an athletic, towering number 9 as a replacement.

If Stassin departs before the window ends, the club has already been advised to bring in a physically imposing forward to fill the gap. The suggestion comes as ASSE consider how to maintain attacking potency without the 21‑year‑old.

Roussey outlines the ideal target

For (Pour) Laurent Roussey, the Verts need a striker who can serve as a true point of support against opposing defences. He discussed this view in a recent YouTube interview about ASSE’s current situation.

Roussey explained that the ideal centre‑forward must be powerful enough to hold up the ball, fix central defenders and free the wingers to exploit space. Such a player would give Ian Cathro a reliable outlet in the final third.

The presence of a larger target man would also improve the Verts’ ability to win aerial duels from crosses, an area where ASSE currently lack weight. "He (Il) lacks size and weight in the opponent’s areas," Roussey summed up, highlighting the need for more physical presence.

Should Stassin’s exit become reality, ASSE could use the chance to add a new dimension rather than simply replace the Belgian (Belge) striker post‑for‑post. The club’s hierarchy still has to decide which athletic No.9 fits the profile, leaving the summer market open to further surprises.