‘Contract-terminating performance’ – Chelsea fans rip into player who started vs Newcastle
Chelsea fans have heavily criticised Wesley Fofana for his shoddy performance against Newcastle at St James’ Park.
Chelsea headed into the game off the back of a turbulent week which saw them beat Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup after Enzo Maresca‘s future was plunged into uncertainty by some strange public comments.
The Blues manager clearly had done nothing to boost the confidence of his players before they travelled to Tyneside, with Nick Woltemade opening the scoring for Newcastle from close range after just four minutes.
The big German striker netted his brace in the 20th minute, but Maresca’s men fought back well to draw 2-2 after goals from Reece James and Joao Pedro in the second half.
Fofana has not long returned from a long injury lay-off, and he was picked out by Chelsea supporters as one of their worst performers during their terrible first half.
Fofana was at fault for both of Woltemade’s goals in a dismal showing
The Magpies’ opener came about after Fofana had been dispossessed by Anthony Gordon as he timidly ran forward with the ball into danger on the halfway line.
Gordon’s tackle saw Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes feed it out to Jacob Murphy, who found Gordon with a deep cross as his shot was well-saved by Robert Sanchez but fell at Woltemade’s feet to fire home.
The Frenchman was again culpable in the 20th minute as he lost Woltemade in the box for him to run free and flick Gordon’s cross home, doubling Newcastle’s lead.
His teammates bailed him out in the second half to take one point back to the capital, but Fofana was not good enough as he ended the game with just five defensive contributions and only three duels won from nine attempted.
Chelsea fans slam Fofana after woeful performance at Newcastle
Fofana has been criticised by Chelsea fans before now after numerous recurring injury issues, but they will be wishing he wasn’t fit to play on Saturday following such a poor performance.
Taking to X to react to his first half showing, one fan asked: “Fofana why on earth are you holding onto the ball for that long in the middle of the pitch?”
Another slated him and said: “Fofana solely to blame for that (the first goal). One too many.”
While one fan added: “Maresca hasn’t learned a damn thing after being done by Newcastle twice already And as for Fofana, ship him to Strasbourg – contract-terminating performance from him.”