Wesley Fofana could miss the rest of the season with the centre-back's fourth long-term injury since joining Chelsea in August 2022, manager Enzo Maresca said.
Frenchman Fofana, who joined from Leicester City for £70m plus £5m in add-ons, has started all 12 Premier League games this season and was spared a hamstring injury in the 3-0 home win. December 1 at Aston Villa;
“After the tests, I realized it was worse than I thought at first,” Maresca said when asked about Fofana's expected four-to-five-week layoff.
“Unfortunately, we're going to lose him for a while. I don't think this kind of injury compares to the rest.
“Before, I had never had a muscle injury. The injury is different. It's a bit unfortunate but he'll be back to normal.”
late A late winner. 🇲🇦#CryCHE 21/22 ⏮️ pic.twitter.com/IEVUZE4519
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 3 2025
Fofana injury history
Fofana, 24, is set to miss more than 100 appearances for Chelsea as he recovers from his latest setback, his first since suffering a knee injury last season.
He missed more than 10 weeks between October and December 2022 with a knee problem, and soon after sat out another nine games due to knee problems.
A knee injury forced the former France international to sit out around 40 games in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 campaigns, while Leicester spent most of the 2021/22 campaign with a broken leg.
Palace vs Chelsea
Chelsea will travel to Crystal Palace on Saturday (3pm) aiming to end their run of two wins and two losses after losing 2-1 at home to Fulham on December 26 for the first time in four games. At Ipswich Town on Monday.
“Against Fulham we were leading until the 82nd minute and conceded two goals,” Maresca said.
NG with the winner at Selhurst Park. 💪#CryCHE 18/19 ⏮️ pic.twitter.com/F1rKuNYwMq
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 3 2025
“We don't like losing games or dropping points, but it won't affect our tour. Don't forget that this journey started five or six months ago.
“There are teams that have been together for five or six years and are trying to win the Premier League. Manchester City Arsenal and Liverpool are more ready than us. We'll get there – hopefully soon.
“You don't have to lose a game to understand that. It's good to be in the championship because it's not a bad thing to tell you that we're there.
“I don't have to wait for two consecutive losses to prove that I'm right. I don't think it's ugly. Just taking it one game at a time.”
90.
no #PL The player has made more tackles and interceptions than Moi Caicedo this season. 🇪🇨💪 pic.twitter.com/fZyYtpvVUx
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 2 2025
Maresca: Chelsea never claimed Champions League qualification.
Maresca reiterated that he is not targeting a top-four finish at the end of his first season. “When I met the team, they never asked me in the Champions League this season,” he said.
“The year they can put me in contention for the title. three They asked us to build a team in four or five years.”