There was at least one positive for Liam Rosenior to take away from Chelsea’s 1-0 loss to Arsenal on Tuesday night.
Yes, it would have hurt. Following that defeat and Arsenal’s 3-2 win at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have been knocked out of the Carabao Cup.
Over the two legs of their semi-final tie, Rosenior’s side were not good enough. They do not deserve a place in the final at Wembley.
Did Rosenior get his tactics wrong against Arteta? 🤔
Hindsight is a wonderful thing…
With that being said, some Chelsea players did manage to play well against Arsenal, including Wesley Fofana.
Arsenal defenders (L-R) Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba celebrate
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Wesley Fofana can become just as good as William Saliba and Gabriel
William Saliba and Gabriel are arguably the two best centre-backs in the Premier League. They are definitely the best centre-half pairing.
However, Fofana outshone both of them on Tuesday as the Arsenal duo struggled to contain Joao Pedro in the first half.
Playing in a back three probably helped Fofana, but the 25-year-old was so effective with how he used his pace to recover. Fofana was also very dominant in the air.
According to Sofascore, the Frenchman won six out of eight aerial duels. Viktor Gyokeres scored in the first leg and had chances at Stamford Bridge, but Fofana did not give him a sniff on Tuesday night.
Wesley Fofana was solid against Arsenal 💪
Who do you want to see partner the Frenchman if he stays fit?
Wesley Fofana's number of aerial duels in Arsenal vs Chelsea
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
No one has ever questioned the former Leicester City star’s ability. Rather, the issue with him has always been fitness.
Fofana proved at the Emirates that he can be just as impactful as Saliba and Gabriel at the back in a big game. He just needs to stay fit.
Enzo Maresca was a huge fan of Fofana during his time as Chelsea manager, and if the £70m France international puts in more performances like his recent one in north London, it will not take long for Rosenior to become an admirer as well.
Chelsea's French defender #29 Wesley Fofana (R) flicks the ball wide
Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP via Getty Images
Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill partnership has potential
Having failed to bring in Jeremy Jacquet during the January transfer window, Chelsea could purchase a new centre-back in the summer.
However, if Fofana remains fit and Levi Colwill is still the same player he was before his ACL injury, the pair are likely to be Rosenior’s first-choice centre-half pairing.
Fofana and Colwill worked really well together last season when both men were able to play. They have so many good attributes, giving them huge potential as a partnership.
Chelsea fans have seen Fofana’s pace and ability to bring the ball out in the team’s last two games against Arsenal and West Ham United, while Colwill is also comfortable in possession and can be just as aggressive as Fofana when it comes to engaging forwards.
In the future, hopefully Fofana and Colwill can be Chelsea’s version of Saliba and Gabriel.
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