Some at Chelsea may now be starting to have regrets about signing Wesley Fofana from Leicester City.
Following Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen’s exits in 2022, Chelsea bought Fofana is a mega £70m deal.
However, the central defender has picked up injury after injury since arriving at Stamford Bridge and is currently sidelined. It is one reason why Enzo Maresca now wants a new centre-back.
Chelsea had alternatives to Fofana as they initially struggled to agree a transfer fee with Leicester, alternatives who perhaps would have been able to give the Blues a bit more than the Frenchman.
Chelsea considered Harry Maguire and Adam Webster
Chelsea could sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, but he is not the only English centre-half the Blues seem to appreciate.
According to a report from the Daily Mail back in 2022, Chelsea had Manchester United’s Harry Maguire and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Adam Webster on a list of alternatives to Fofana.
The same outlet claims that the club even made enquiries about the two defenders after struggling to strike a deal with Leicester for Fofana’s signature.
In the end, Chelsea were able to get their main target, but it is a transfer that has simply not worked out because of all of the injuries that Fofana has picked up.
The 24-year-old has made just 14 appearances in the Premier League this season, while he failed to feature at all last term.
Chelsea fans would probably not have been too happy with the arrival of Maguire, who cost United a record £80m, after his own struggles at Old Trafford. But the 6’4″ England international would have at least been available for the Blues.
A year later, he was once again linked with a move to west London. It was even claimed that Chelsea had made contact about signing Maguire.
What Chelsea plan to do with Wesley Fofana
It looks like Fofana’s latest injury is the final straw for Chelsea, who are now reportedly ready to part ways with the France international.
According to Foot Mercato, the Blues are open to Fofana leaving the club either on loan or permanently.
The French outlet claims that Marseille are still interested in the former Leicester man after targeting him last year.
Fofana spoke publicly about Marseille’s interest, revealing that he considered joining the Ligue 1 side.
“I had a conversation that really touched me,” he shared. “I would be lying if I said I didn’t weigh it up. It was from [Medhi] Benatia, Marseille’s sporting director.”
With the transfer window not far away, Fofana could get another chance to join Marseille as Chelsea weigh up a divorce with their £70m defender.
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