Chelsea star Wesley Fofana could possibly be out for the remainder of the season following hamstring damage in blow to Blues’ top-four hopes
- Wesley Fofana has only managed to appear in 32 games since leaving Leicester
- Benoit Badiashile is out until at least February as the defensive issues mount
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Chelsea fear £70million defender Wesley Fofana could miss the rest of the season due to a serious hamstring injury in a blow to the Blues’ bid to make sure they secure a top-four finish.
Fofana joined from Leicester in August 2022. Since then, Chelsea have played 125 games in all competitions, but the 24-year-old Frenchman has only managed to appear in 32 of them due to a hellish injury record.
Manager Enzo Maresca confirmed at his pre-Crystal Palace press conference that Fofana is now facing another lengthy spell on the sidelines, though they have not yet decided if he needs surgery.
With Benoit Badiashile also out until at least February, the defensive problems are mounting for Maresca after losing to Ipswich and Fulham and drawing with Everton.
As reported by Mail Sport, Aaron Anselmino has now officially been recalled from his loan to Boca Juniors with the 19-year-old defender set to remain with Chelsea moving forward.
‘With Wes, we are a better team, much, much better,’ Maresca said ahead of Palace on Saturday. ‘It’s a big loss. We try to find different solutions. The first one was Benoit, that he did exactly the same against (Dominic) Solanke, against Tottenham, but then he got injured again.
Chelsea are fearful that Wesley Fofana could be out for the remainder of the 2024-25 season
Enzo Maresca’s side are also without Benoit Badiashile who could be out until February
Captain Reece James is set to make the substitutes bench and could take the armband if he comes on
‘We had Wes, we lost Wes, we tried to find a solution with Benoit, now we have lost Benoit.’
Maresca reiterated that Chelsea are not in the Premier League title race as he said of leaders Liverpool: ‘Arne Slot is phenomenal. He is doing fantastic. Congratulations to him. We are not doing the same. We are not phenomenal compared to them who are winning every game.’
In more positive news, Romeo Lavia is close to returning and could be in the squad to face Palace as Chelsea look to bounce back from their mini-slump. Captain Reece James is also set to make the substitutes’ bench at least, and if he features, he will wear the armband instead of Enzo Fernandez.
