Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana surfers ACL injury to undergo injury

• Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana has broken his Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
• Fofana picked up the injury during the Blues’ pre-season tour in the United States
• The France international will undergo surgery and the club might be forced to look for a new defender

Chelsea has officially announced that their centre-back, Wesley Fofana, had to undergo surgery after suffering a rupture of his anterior cruciate ligament. Consequently, the French defender was unable to join the team for their pre-season tour in the United States, as his injury turned out to be more severe than initially anticipated.

In an official statement, Chelsea confirmed that Fofana underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery. The 22-year-old defender had to undergo specialist medical assessments, which ultimately confirmed the necessity for an operation. As a result, Fofana will now focus on his recovery and collaborate closely with the club’s medical department at Cobham during his rehabilitation phase.

Wesley Fofana suffered the fracture on his ACL during the pre-season tour with his club Chelsea in the United States. | PHGTO: Chelsea FC |

Fofana’s injury adds to the uncertainty in Chelsea’s centre-back position. In light of his absence, the club is reevaluating their options and considering potential replacements or reinforcements.

One potential candidate for the centre-back position is academy graduate Levi Colwill. Several Premier League sides, including Brighton and Liverpool, are interested in securing a deal for the 20-year-old defender. However, Chelsea has consistently maintained that Colwill is not for sale, even prior to Fofana’s injury.

READ: Brighton reject second bid for Moises Caicedo from Chelsea

Despite Fofana’s setback, Chelsea can still rely on other options in their defensive line. Academy graduate Levi Colwill is expected to stay at the club alongside Benoit Badiashile, who also missed the pre-season tour due to an injury, and experienced defender Thiago Silva, who is 38 years old. Additionally, Trevoh Chalobah is currently on the club’s roster but has garnered significant interest from other teams.

To cover the absence of senior players during their pre-season tour in the US, Chelsea’s new manager, Mauricio Pochettino, decided to include 20-year-old Bashir Humphreys and 19-year-old Alfie Gilchrist in the squad.

The injury to Wesley Fofana serves as a reminder of the challenges football clubs face during pre-season preparations. As teams fine-tune their strategies and tactics ahead of the upcoming season, injuries can disrupt their plans and create uncertainties in crucial positions on the pitch.

While Chelsea remains committed to supporting Fofana during his recovery process, the club’s focus now shifts to finding the best solution for their centre-back needs. Whether they opt to pursue external signings or trust their existing roster, the ultimate goal is to have a strong and capable defensive line to face the challenges of the new season. As the pre-season progresses, Chelsea’s coaching staff will closely assess their options to ensure they are well-prepared for the start of the competitive fixtures.