Chelsea’s results with and without Wesley Fofana compared as defender returns from injury

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Chelsea have been without Wesley Fofana for a while now following an injury that the central defender sustained in December.

Benoit Badiashile also got injured around the same time, leaving Enzo Maresca with Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo, Axel Disasi and Josh Acheampong as his centre-back options.

While Disasi departed Chelsea in the last transfer window, the club recalled Trevoh Chalobah from Crystal Palace. Ultimately, while Maresca would have liked to have had both Fofana and Badiashile available, he has never been completely devoid of centre-halves.

Nevertheless, there is no denying that the Blues have declined dramatically in Fofana’s absence, and their win rate without him proves that.

• READ MORE: Why Enzo Maresca thinks Wesley Fofana is ‘untouchable’ at Chelsea despite injury problems

Chelsea lose way fewer games in the Premier League when Wesley Fofana is in the side

Before Fofana picked up a hamstring injury, Chelsea were flying in the Premier League and going toe-to-toe with leaders Liverpool.

However, they now find themselves seventh in the table and out of the Champions League places. Fofana’s absence is not the only factor, but they clearly have not coped without the Frenchman.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
4	Man CityManchester City	26	13	5	8	52	37	15	44
5	NewcastleNewcastle	26	13	5	8	46	36	10	44
6	B’mouthBournemouth	26	12	7	7	44	30	14	43
7	ChelseaChelsea	26	12	7	7	48	36	12	43
8	Aston VillaAston Villa	27	11	9	7	39	41	-2	42
9	BrightonBrighton	26	10	10	6	42	38	4	40

This season, with him in the side, Chelsea have a 58.33% win rate in the Premier League. However, when he does not play, that drops to 35.71%.

The Blues were not invincible when Fofana was playing, but defensively, they have been poor in his absence, especially of late.

Maresca’s men lost 2-1 against Aston Villa over the weekend, which followed their 3-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Because of their defensive frailties and Fofana’s very concerning injury record, it would not be a surprise if a new centre-back was brought to Stamford Bridge in the summer. It has already been claimed that Chelsea have Dean Huijsen in their sights.

Wesley Fofana could play against Southampton

In a huge boost to Maresca, it looks like Fofana could be available for Chelsea’s clash against Southampton on Tuesday night.

It is being reported that Fofana will be in Chelsea’s matchday squad, though a start would come as a surprise.

With it perhaps being too soon for the 24-year-old to be named in the first XI, a central defensive partnership of Colwill and Adarabioyo is likely.