Chelsea star Wesley Fofana has seemingly dismissed Enzo Maresca’s assertion that the defender will miss the rest of the season due to injury.
The 24-year-old centre-back has been sidelined since sustaining a hamstring injury during Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over Aston Villa in early December.
Initially, Maresca indicated that Fofana would be out for a month. However, ahead of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, the Chelsea head coach suggested the situation was more severe, saying,
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“We don’t know exactly. But after further tests, we realized it was worse than what we thought. It’s a hamstring injury, and unfortunately, we are going to lose him for a while.”
This development comes as a significant setback for Chelsea, who are aiming to secure a Premier League title and a top-four finish amidst ongoing defensive struggles.
Fofana’s Response and Recovery Timeline
Contrary to Maresca’s comments, reports suggest Fofana could return sooner than expected. According to French outlet L’Equipe,
Chelsea’s medical team recommended surgery to address the injury, which would keep the French international out for at least three months.
However, Fofana reportedly prefers a non-surgical approach, a stance seemingly supported by Maresca.
Adding to the speculation, Fofana allegedly responded to a fan account on Instagram, refuting claims of a season-ending injury.
Translated from French, the player wrote:
“It’s not true! I’m not out for the rest of the season. I don’t know why he [Maresca] said that. I will be back in 4-6 weeks.”
If accurate, Fofana could return as early as mid-February, potentially featuring in Chelsea’s clash against Brighton on February 14.
Rising Star Steps Up
In the absence of Fofana, Maresca handed a full debut to 18-year-old Josh Acheampong in Saturday’s match against Crystal Palace. Despite the Blues conceding a late equalizer, Acheampong’s performance was a standout.
“I think for sure, Josh was our best player because of his age; it was his first game,” Maresca said post-match.
“Josh can be a top player for this club, but he needs the right path and the right moment. Even with Wes and Benoît [Badiashile] injured, we’ve seen Josh is good enough.”
What’s Next for Chelsea?
Chelsea will face Morecambe in the FA Cup third round this Saturday, with fans eager to see how the team adjusts to ongoing defensive challenges.
As the situation surrounding Fofana’s recovery unfolds, his return could provide a much-needed boost to Chelsea’s ambitions for the season.
