Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Wesley Fofana featured heavily in Chelsea’s pre-season, with the defender managing to stay fit.
Fofana has had a lot of injury problems since joining Chelsea from Leicester City in 2022, but he is available going into the new campaign.
Fofana will miss the trip to Fulham, though, due to a suspension that has carried over from last season. The central defender was sent off in Chelsea’s final Premier League game against Sunderland, which ended in a 2-1 defeat.
Todd Boehly and Mark Walter graphic
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Xabi Alonso a fan of Wesley Fofana
Fofana is not the most popular player among Chelsea supporters right now, but he is someone Xabi Alonso seems to appreciate.
According to journalist Simon Phillips on Si Phillips Talks Chelsea, Alonso really likes Fofana and has been impressed with what he has seen from the 25-year-old in pre-season.
Following the acquisition of Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace, many were expecting Fofana to be on the bench this term.
Orri Oskarsson of Real Sociedad passes the ball under pressure from Maxence Lacroix and Wesley Fofana of Chelsea
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
However, towards the end of Chelsea’s pre-season tour, Alonso started using a back three, meaning that there could be room for Fofana, Lacroix and Levi Colwill to all start.
If Alonso uses a back three against Fulham, it will be interesting to see who lines up alongside Lacroix and Colwill. Reece James is an option to play in central defence, but he started in midfield last time out and may be needed there again, depending on what happens with Enzo Fernandez.
Make or break for Wesley Fofana
This has to be it for Fofana now. He has been at Chelsea for four years and has not established himself in the team yet.
Injuries have played their part, but when the Frenchman was in the side last season, he did not always impress.
Ultimately, for a £70m defender, Chelsea would have been expecting a bit more from Fofana. It is now or never for the France international at Stamford Bridge.
Another underwhelming season, and you would expect Chelsea to move him on next summer.