Enzo Maresca is set to have Wesley Fofana available again.placeholder image
Enzo Maresca is set to have Wesley Fofana available again. | AFP via Getty Images
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is expected to make changes to his squad following defeat to Leeds United.
AFC Bournemouth will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Leeds United and turn over Chelsea on Saturday but the hosts are likely to come up against a Blues man who was absent in midweek.
Enzo Maresca fielded an unconventional back four of Marc Cucurella, Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adrabioyo and Trevoh Chalobah at Elland Road and saw his defence struggle against the relegation threatened outfit.
The Blues manager has admitted making a team selection error for that match with Josh Acheampong on the bench and is expecting a tricky test again from Bournemouth this weekend. He said: “Bournemouth will be a similar game to Leeds, that is why we need to be better. Leeds was very intense and were better than us in all the aspects. Hopefully we can learn from that and be better tomorrow.”
Chelsea expected to welcome Wesley Fofana back against AFC Bournemouth
Chelsea are boosted for their trip to the Vitality Stadium with news that Wesley Fofana is likely to return to the squad for the match. The 24-year-old did not travel to Leeds United in midweek, which had sparked fears of a fresh injury problem.
The defender, who cost the club £75 million in 2022, missed a chunk of last season with a hamstring injury. However, football.london reports that Fofana’s midweek absence was only to manage his work load rather than a result of a fresh problem.
Fofana is expected to play a big part over the busy festive fixture period and had played 90 minutes against both Barcelona and Arsenal. It’s expected that the centre-back will be in the matchday squad at the Vitality Stadium, in what is a huge boost for Chelsea.
Fofana grateful for Enzo Maresca treatment
The former Leicester City man is one of the first names in the starting XI when fit and his return comes as a blow to AFC Bournemouth, should the Cherries had been hoping for another makeshift Chelsea back four.
Fofana has been outspoken with praise for Maresca and spoke positively about having his minutes managed last month. He said: "In football, it is hard to take your time because there is a game every three days, but he [Maresca] protects me and he pushes me in a good way. I had hamstring surgery and you need to be careful when you come back.
"He doesn't take risks with me because he wants, step by step, for me to be able to play every three days. The target is to play every game; we need to carefully progress step by step towards that.
"Also, he protects me because of the type of player I am: aggressive, fast, not scared to have duels on the pitch. I understand it, and it's what I feel as well. I agree with it. The most important is to continue to progress."
In other news, West Ham missed costly transfer for Leeds United man who just 'beat Chelsea up' - opinion.
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