In Wesley Fofana’s final act of the season, he was sent off as Chelsea suffered the consequences of failing to qualify for Europe. The 25-year-old centre-back, signed for £70m in 2022, pulled down Wilson Isidor as Sunderland held on for a vital win on the final day of the Premier League season, securing European qualification at Chelsea’s expense.
It was another low point for Fofana, who received a second yellow card moments after Cole Palmer had pulled a goal back in the 2-1 defeat at the Stadium of Light. The incident added to the late-season criticism he has received from supporters. It was his second red card and a club-record eighth in the Premier League (11 overall) in a torrid campaign where the club finished 10th in the table.
“Wesley Fofana was sent off on the final day as Chelsea missed Europe, casting doubt on his future after a £70m transfer.”
Yet internally, there is no indication that Chelsea are actively looking to sell Fofana. The France international, who was not selected for his country’s World Cup squad, is effectively under scrutiny as Chelsea look to reduce the size of their squad before next season under Xabi Alonso.
The picture at centre-back is already crowded, and Chelsea are looking to add at least one high-quality option in that area and perhaps another depending on sales. The idea is to deliver a Premier League-ready option to partner highly regarded defender Levi Colwill, a role once reserved for Fofana given his price tag, but which is now no longer guaranteed.
The situation may be recoverable, but it remains uncertain for Fofana, who must impress Alonso upon arrival when pre-season begins at the end of the month. Fofana was highly rated by former manager Enzo Maresca, who, according to sources, often told him privately he was “better than the others”. His pace was integral to the Italian’s preferred high line and style of play.
Under Maresca, Fofana built an effective partnership with Colwill, but the England international suffered a long-term knee injury and missed almost the entirety of last season. Throughout the campaign, Chelsea’s defensive record lagged behind eventual champions Arsenal, even when they were being touted as title contenders in November.
There was a rapid decline in all areas of the squad following Maresca’s departure after a falling-out with the hierarchy, while his successor Liam Rosenior lasted just four months. Fofana was among a large group of players, including members of the Spanish-speaking contingent, who were not enamoured with Rosenior and his form declined further as a result.
During this period, Chelsea also recalled Mamadou Sarr from his loan spell at Strasbourg to reunite with Rosenior, but he struggled for minutes, as did Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo and Josh Acheampong.
With Alonso now at the helm and a crowded defensive unit needing trimming, Fofana’s status as the £70m centre-back who was once told he was “better than the others” is no longer guaranteed. Pre-season will decide whether his Chelsea story has another chapter.