Wesley Fofana’s Injury Doubt for Chelsea’s Return to Premier League Action
Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana could face a race against time to be fit for his return to the King Power Stadium when the Blues take on his former club Leicester City after the international break. The French defender has been forced to withdraw from the France squad due to a knee injury, casting doubt on his availability for Chelsea’s upcoming Premier League clash.
Fofana, who joined Chelsea in a £70m move from Leicester in August 2022, had been called up to the France squad for their Nations League matches against Israel and Italy during the November international break. However, the French Football Federation confirmed on Monday that Fofana was “experiencing pain in his left knee” and would be returning to Chelsea for further treatment.
The injury comes as a concern for both Fofana and Chelsea, who are already navigating a challenging season. The 23-year-old had been in good form, playing the full 90 minutes in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge just before the break. Despite his solid performance, the knee issue has forced him to cut short his international duties.
Chelsea quickly released a statement confirming Fofana’s return to the club, stating, “Wesley Fofana has withdrawn from the France squad ahead of their UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel and Italy. The French Football Federation released a statement on Monday confirming the defender was ‘experiencing pain in his left knee’ following our draw with Arsenal at the weekend.”
Fofana’s potential absence from Chelsea’s first-team lineup is a blow for the Blues, who will be looking to return to winning ways after the international break. The London side will face Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday, November 23, and will hope that Fofana recovers in time to play against his former team.
The match is a significant one for Chelsea, with both sides keen to build momentum in the Premier League. Fofana facing Leicester would have been a highly anticipated return to a club where he became a fan favourite before his high-profile move to Stamford Bridge. However, the defender’s fitness will now be closely monitored as Chelsea prepares for the fixture.
With just under two weeks until the game, Chelsea will be hoping that Fofana can recover in time. If not, manager Mauricio Pochettino may need to make adjustments to his defence as he aims to guide Chelsea through a crucial part of the season. Fofana’s presence will undoubtedly be missed if he is sidelined, as he’s become a key figure in Chelsea’s backline. But the Blues will be hoping that the 23-year-old can shake off the injury and continue his strong form when he’s back on the pitch.