Chelsea dealt worst-case injury blow vs West Ham as Enzo Maresca reveals new Wesley Fofana plan
Enzo Maresca has downplayed suggestions that Wesley Fofana picked up an injury in Chelsea's 3-0 win over West Ham on Saturday. Having started the game as a right-back, the defender was taken off before the hour mark with his side leading comfortably.
After three years of fitness problems for Fofana - who also pulled out of the France squad during the international break earlier this month - the sight of him with an ice pack and heavy strapping on his left knee had caused immediate concern after the match. He was also seen hobbling around the pitch and looking uncomfortable as he spoke to Maresca.
The Italian was keen not to express much concern for his key man though. He told football.london, "No, no, no [it's not serious]," explaining that, "the reason why we changed him is because we try to protect him a little bit."
Fofana had struggled at times to deal with West Ham's left flank as they overloaded with Emerson Palmieri and Crysencio Summerville, but ultimately he was able to get through with a clean sheet. Aided by a fine performance from Nicolas Jackson, Fofana ensured it was an afternoon to remember for the travelling Blues fans.
For Maresca, the result saw his side momentarily lifted into second. With problems for Malo Gusto and Reece James at right-back already this season he will be hopeful of getting both players back sooner rather than later so that Fofana can return into his favoured central spot.
"In the second half, they changed [Mohammed] Kudus to this side and it was probably a big risk to keep him but there is not any injury," the head coach continued. "Wes is a player I really love and we love with Wes because he is doing fantastic after one year of injury.
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"For any player that is out for a year, it is not easy and he is doing top. This is the only thing we want from him." With midweek games coming regularly on the horizon for Chelsea, Fofana will have an important role to play both domestically and in Europe.
He was replaced at the London Stadium by Axel Disasi. The former Monaco man got the nod last weekend at Bournemouth but struggled to anchor the side. Maresca turned to Fofana instead on Saturday and was largely rewarded for his gamble, shifting him out to the side.
Chelsea host Barrow in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night. They then extend a run of home games with the visit of Brighton, Gent, and Nottingham Forest to come.