According to journalist Simon Phillips, the 22-year-old defender Wesley Fofana may not return to action this season, dealing a significant blow to Chelsea’s prospects.
Fofana, who underwent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery during the summer, has had a tumultuous journey since joining Chelsea in 2022 for a staggering £75 million from Leicester City. Injuries have plagued the Frenchman’s tenure at the club, with last season seeing him make only 15 appearances in the Premier League for the Blues.
Simon Phillips, writing on his Substack “Si Phillips Talks Chelsea,” has raised concerns about Fofana’s recovery, stating that “sources are fearful” of his potential absence for the entire season. This grim prospect is a result of the severe nature of his ACL injury, which has sidelined him for an extended period.
It’s hardly a surprise that Fofana may be out for the remainder of the campaign, which would be a setback for Chelsea’s manager, Mauricio Pochettino. However, Pochettino is not without options in Fofana’s position. The club boasts a roster of capable defenders, including Thiago Silva, Axel Disasi, Levi Colwill, Benoit Badiashile, and Trevoh Chalobah, who can fill in the central defense role.
While Badiashile and Chalobah have also faced injury setbacks, their problems are not as grave as Fofana’s. In fact, there is optimism regarding Badiashile’s potential return. According to football.london, the former AS Monaco player has been seen participating in team training during the international break, indicating that he is getting closer to a comeback.
Although it may be too early for Badiashile to feature in the upcoming Arsenal game this Saturday, his eventual return could be a significant boost for Mauricio Pochettino, especially with the increasing likelihood of Fofana’s season coming to a premature end.
In light of this situation, Chelsea and its supporters are undoubtedly hoping for Badiashile’s continued fitness once he makes his return, as he becomes an essential piece in the puzzle to compensate for the absence of Wesley Fofana.