Enzo Maresca 'falls in love' with Chelsea star as Blues devise strict training regime
Enzo Maresca omitted star man Cole Palmer from Chelsea's Conference League squad in order to manage his game-time and the Blues boss is taking a similar approach with defender Wesley Fofana
by Nathan Ridley · The MirrorChelsea have put Wesley Fofana on a strict one-game-per-week fitness programme to avoid the £80million defender suffering yet another serious injury.
Fofana, 23, joined the Blues two years ago after making his name at Leicester City, only for three separate knee injuries to blight his first couple of seasons at Stamford Bridge. The France international has already missed more than 70 games for Chelsea through injury, but he's notably stayed fit since the beginning of this season.
That's likely down to Chelsea only allowing Fofana to play one game every week, leaving him out of their Carabao Cup and Conference League squads and letting him focus on Premier League action, just as they've done with star Cole Palmer. French outlet L'Equipe report that the strategy has been strict since manager Enzo Maresca has 'fallen in love' and values the centre-back.
Quick and comfortable on the ball, Fofana suits Maresca's style of play and has helped the Blues win four of their last five league games. The 23-year-old was called up to the France squad this month and could earn his second senior cap when Didier Deschamps' side face Belgium on Monday in Brussels.
Deschamps hinted at Chelsea's plan for Fofana - which will remain in place until 2025 - last week, saying: "He has a programme which is adapted at the moment where he plays the Premier League matches and he has clearly responded. He is coming off a period of inactivity but since the last month he was able to continue playing matches and to perform."
Fofana notably had the chance to leave Stamford Bridge over the summer, as boyhood club Marseille came calling. "I would be lying if I said I didn't weigh it up," Fofana revealed to Free FOOT.
"It was from [Mehdi] Benatia, Marseille's sporting director. "It touched me and I think everyone knows why. I thought about it but there you go, the current objective is to succeed at Chelsea, to try and play regularly, and to establish myself at my club."
Get involved! Will Wesley Fofana prove to be worth £80million? Tell us your prediction in the comments section.
He added: "We'll see one day. I still have a contract until 2029 and we'll see after that. I have never hidden it, [Marseille] is my city, my club, I am an OM supporter."
Fofana is suspended for next Sunday's trip to face top-of-the-table Liverpool at Anfield, having managed to pick up a yellow card in five of his seven Premier League appearances this season - the same as team-mate Marc Cucurella. A win would move Chelsea within a point of high-flying Liverpool.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Sky Sports deal
Sky Sports launches 'lowest price' Premier League package
£43 (was £52)
Sky has slashed the price of its Sky Sports, Sky Stream, Sky TV and Netflix bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £216 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
With Ultra HD included at no extra cost, football fans can enjoy the 2024/25 season with crystal clear picture quality.