Wesley Fofana of Chelsea during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
When Chelsea fans hear the name Wesley Fofana, it sends a shiver down their spine. The Frenchman has endured a difficult week, constantly making big mistakes that lead to big chances and even goals.
Against Liverpool, it was Fofana who conceded a penalty by needlessly handling the ball. It came just after Morgan Rogers had scored Chelsea’s penalty, and the game went to a shootout. Fofana missed his kick.
Then, against Man United, Fofana kept affording too much space to Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo. Diallo then tackled him as Chelsea’s last man; Steven Gerrard described Fofana as United’s “best player”.
READ MORE:Pep Chavarria will fear about his Chelsea future amid the latest transfer reports
Fans are growing fed up with Fofana; the stats say otherwise
It’s not the first time Chelsea fans have treated Fofana like a scapegoat. Last season, the £70m man was guilty of lapses in concentration and glaring mistakes that are now a part of his footballing persona.
One fan urged Alonso to start any other player than Fofana moving forward on Talking Points, having watched the ex-Leicester ace continuously make mistakes this season and in the previous campaign.
Both goals in a 2-2 draw with Newcastle, his red cards against Burnley and Sunderland – the latter of which ended any hope of European qualification – are just mere examples of Fofana making mistakes.
But this season, the stats actually suggest otherwise. Aside from his mistakes against Liverpool and Man United, Fofana has actually played well, and the stats suggest as much – especially his interceptions.
Wesley Fofana’s 2026-27 Premier League stats
Metric Stat (per 90) Position in Chelsea squad
Defensive contributions 12.2 2nd
Tackles 1.6 10th
Interceptions 3.3 1st
Clearances 6.4 1st
Blocks 0.9 1st
Recoveries 3.6 10th
Fofana might actually deserve to start against Sunderland
The defender has bad memories at the Stadium of Light. A win over Sunderland might have taken Chelsea into European football this season, but his red card meant Chelsea had little chance, eventually losing 2-1.
Chelsea have little option but to start Fofana this weekend. With Maxence Lacroix injured and both Josh Acheampong and Jorrel Hato being used as full-backs, the chances are that Fofana starts at centre-back.
I think he will play Fofana simply because of his experience. Yes, we all know he makes mistakes and is certainly not as good as he was before the injury but experience does count. Maybe he can take advantage of Lacroix injury in the same way as Penders is trying to
But Alonso may start Tayo Subuloye in the starting XI at Sunderland, but it would be a risk to hand the youngster his debut away from home in the Premier League. Ultimately, Chelsea are stuck with Fofana.
That may strike fear into Chelsea hearts but actually, the stats show it is not the end of the world. If Fofana can go 90 minutes without making a mistake, it would really help the Blues star’s confidence.