Chelsea returned to the top four of the Premier League with a hard-fought win over Leicester City at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues ran out 1-0 winners thanks to Marc Cucurella’s second goal in as many league fixtures, on an afternoon where they were frustrated for much of the game by their relegation-threatened opposition.
Chelsea looked out of ideas for a lot of the game in front of goal, and were perhaps shellshocked after Cole Palmer missed his first penalty since joining the club.
One of the positives for the Blues was the fact that they were able to welcome Wesley Fofana back to the starting side for the first time since the start of December, when he picked up an injury against Aston Villa.
Fofana was in the squad to face Southampton, however the magnitude of their victory didn’t see the need for him to be introduced.
Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images
Chelsea fans wowed by Wesley Fofana vs Leicester
After not travelling to Denmark, the Frenchman started at right-back, with both Reece James and Malo Gusto missing from the matchday squad.
It was a really promising display from Fofana against his former side, who showed an athleticism that has been missing from the defensive line ever since he became unavailable for selection.
Wesley Fofana vs Leicester Total
Minutes 73
Pass accuracy 95%
Successful dribbles 1/1
Duels won 4
Recoveries 3
Dribbled past 0
Chelsea fans were left very impressed with what they saw from the returning defender in his 73 minutes on the pitch, with some going as far as saying it was clear that he was the club’s best defender.
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One user said: “Wesley Fofana is not playing like someone who is playing his first game in months.”
Another added: “Wesley Fofana. What a player man.”
A third claimed: “Fofana has been top missed him so much.”
Another stated: “I’m clapping for Wesley Fofana. He was genuinely a breath of fresh air.”
I’m clapping for Wesley Fofana.
He was genuinely a breath of fresh air.
— ~ (@CFCdruw) March 9, 2025
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Finally, one user said: “Fofana comes off after an excellent first game back from injury. Defensively, physically top and so aggressive on the ball.”
Fofana comes off after an excellent first game back from injury.
Defensively, physically top and so aggressive on the ball.
— Felix (@FelixJohnston_) March 9, 2025
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What Enzo Maresca thinks of Wesley Fofana
It is clear that in the time Fofana has not been available, Chelsea have suffered defensively, and their results in that time only prove that further.
This perhaps explains why Enzo Maresca sees Fofana as ‘untouchable’, despite injuries having a major influence on his time in West London.
The fact that he was handed a start against Leicester ahead of Josh Acheampong, who seems well suited to the dynamic right-sided role, is a statement as to how highly he rates him.
The Frenchman is not in the squad to compete in the Conference League, meaning he will remain fully rested on European nights in order to hopefully be a mainstay in the Premier League defence.