Enzo Maresca is coming in for criticism following Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal over the weekend.
Some Chelsea fans were not happy with Maresca’s late substitutions, while others would have also been angry with his decision to start Robert Sanchez.
The 27-year-old has not been reliable this season, making several mistakes in goal, and he could have conceded from another error on Sunday.
Yet Maresca‘s decision to start Sanchez was not the most baffling call he made at the Emirates.
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Enzo Maresca’s decision to start Wesley Fofana at right-back backfired
With Wesley Fofana back from injury, Maresca opted to start him at right-back against Mikel Arteta’s side.
Fofana played well against Leicester City in Chelsea‘s previous Premier League fixture, where he was also used at right-back.
However, the Blues were without both Reece James and Malo Gusto that day. Maresca did not have too many other options.
In Sunday’s London derby, though, it was a different story. James and Gusto were both available, but Maresca decided to start the former in midfield and leave the latter on the bench.
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It meant that Fofana remained in the team as a right-back, but the central defender really struggled. Ultimately, with James and Gusto both back, it was a terrible decision to play Fofana there.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Wesley Fofana’s numbers vs Arsenal
Fofana is a good defender. It is why Chelsea fans were so happy to see Fofana return in the 1-0 win over Leicester.
Again, though, he had a difficult afternoon in north London on Sunday and the stats show that. For example, the Frenchman failed to win any of his ground duels, while he did not make a single tackle all game. Fofana did not offer any attacking threat on the right flank either.
Wesley Fofana vs Arsenal Total
Minutes 86
Blocked shots 0
Tackles 0
Ground duels (won) 4 (0)
Crosses (accurate) 0 (0)
Shots 0
Via Sofascore
Fofana was also booked and had it not been a London derby, one of his other challenges would have perhaps got him another yellow card.
Going forward, Chelsea supporters will not want to see the France international playing at right-back, especially if James and Gusto are both available.