Photo by Alexander Canillas/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Alexander Canillas/MB Media/Getty Images
Not every Chelsea supporter is convinced by Wesley Fofana, and that is completely understandable.
Fofana joined Chelsea from Leicester City for a massive £70m fee but has missed so many games because of injuries.
When the Frenchman has played, his defending has not always been befitting of a £70m defender either.
Against Hull City, it was another difficult afternoon for Fofana and the rest of Chelsea’s defence. However, individually, Fofana was definitely one of the Blues’ better defenders in the match.
Wesley Fofana’s ball-carrying was exceptional against Hull
While Fofana’s defending was much better than Jorrel Hato’s and Malo Gusto’s, for example, what actually stood out was how he brought the ball out of the backline.
A graphic showing Chelsea's player ratings against Hull City following their Premier League game on 12/09/2026.
A graphic showing Chelsea's player ratings against Hull City following their Premier League game on 12/09/2026.
Xabi must be Sharp when making the first eleven, so I would tell him for us not loosing this point Xabi should stile up he has good players and very hard working players, lastly Xabi please give Quenda game that boy don't let him in bench too much makes good use of him please
Fofana is a big and powerful defender who is capable of going on bulldozing runs with the ball, and we saw that against Sergej Jakirovic’s side.
In total, Fofana made 33 carries and two progressive carries, as per Sofascore. His longest progressive carry spanned 36.7m, which is very impressive.
The 25-year-old also completed the one dribble he attempted, but it did look like more!
If Fofana can now combine that with dominant defending and stay fit, Chelsea will possess one of the best centre-halves in the Premier League.
When they bought him from Leicester in 2023, he was just that. Unfortunately, injuries and not playing in a settled defence seem to have impacted Fofana.
A fit and confident Fofana, however, can be a dominant centre-half. Alonso will like that and his ability on the ball. There is not a manager who would not.
Wesley Fofana of Chelsea sprints with the ball
Photo by Alexander Canillas/MB Media/Getty Images
Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Hull is more proof that Fofana and his teammates need to start defending better.
Of course, it is not as simple as that. Alonso has to look at the team’s defensive structure and how they defend as a unit.
Until then, Chelsea are going to be relying on Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers to blow other teams out of the water, which is just not a sustainable way to keep on winning matches.