Enzo Maresca explains Wesley Fofana absence ahead of Burnley vs Chelsea
Chelsea supporters are concerned for Wesley Fofana yet again after many noticed he was absent from the squad against Burnley.
Enzo Maresca is already without Levi Colwill in defence, as well as Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo, but the Blues are still sitting third in the Premier League table after 11 games.
Cole Palmer has been sidelined since September, pulling up during the 2-1 loss to Man United, and is now facing another setback after fracturing his toe in an at-home accident this week.
Another injury is the last thing the Blues needed, and while Fofana has had his fair share of setbacks at Stamford Bridge, Maresca has been quick to defuse any massive concerns over the Frenchman.
Wesley Fofana is not missing due to a new injury
Benoit Badiashile returns to the squad, with Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevoh Chalobah making up the centre-back partnership, with Fofana nowhere to be seen at Turf Moor on Saturday, 22 November.
The Athletic’s Simon Johnson took to X (22 November), writing: “Maresca just told TNT [Sports] that Fofana has been left out due to a plan they have in place to ‘manage him’ (his minutes), no new injury.”
The 24-year-old has made just seven appearances across all competitions so far this season, and with just 14 games to his name last term, it was important that Maresca addressed the absence.
After signing the Frenchman for £70million in 2022, fans have been massively disappointed by his spell with the Blues so far, but it appears that the manager is remaining patient with him.
How many games has Fofana missed since signing for Chelsea?
During his first season at Stamford Bridge, the centre-half missed a total of 26 games for club and country, already raising questions over his massive price tag.
Then, in the 2023-24 campaign, he missed 51 matches with a cruciate ligament tear, before picking up a hamstring injury in the following season, which saw him sidelined for a total of 36 games.
Now, the defender finally appears to be close to full fitness, but given his history, Maresca is taking no chances this term, having been unavailable for four games due to concussion protocols.