Things were all going so smoothly for Chelsea this afternoon in the home game Premier League game against Aston Villa.
Manager Enzo Maresca had made some changes to the team and to the team’s shape which had paid off really nicely. They had scored twice and looked very comfortable. The second half started with a strong push from Villa, but after that the home team got control of the game again, and everything was set up for them to just control the tempo and run down the clock.
But things are never as easy as you hope in football, and we just knew something bad was on the horizon.
It’s come after 60 minutes, with Wesley Fofana limping off injured. There wasn’t a stretcher involved for the former Leicester, nor was there worrying extended treatment on the pitch. But the look on his face was pretty grim.
More Stories about Wesley Fofana
Jadon Sancho in training, fairly generic.
Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill applaud the away fans.
Wesley Fofana speaks to Chelsea TV after a win at his old club.
When you’ve had a run with injuries like he has, it’s no surprise he looks worried however. We can just pray it’s a knock or a tweak and not anything like the serious ruptures he’s had before.
Benoit Badiashile playing in a preseason friendly against Wrexham.
Benoit Badiashile playing in a preseason friendly against Wrexham.
Fofana’s replacement can seize chance to show good form isn’t a flash in the pan
Fofana was replaced by Benoit Badiashile – the good news is that the Frenchman has recovered some decent form of late, and we’re not as worried about him filling in for Fofana as we might have been a few weeks ago.
We await further information from manager Maresca post-game – although as usual, he will probably say that a scan is needed before anything concrete can be ascertained.
With Reece James already out, this could be turning into the first proper test of depth we’ve had this season at the back if any further fitness concerns are added.