- Wesley Fofana has only been able to appear in 32 games since leaving Leicester
- Benoit Badiashile out until at least February as defensive problems mount
- LISTEN NOW: It's all starting! New line-up, some new faces, but optimism has faded at Old Trafford
Chelsea fear £70million defender Wesley Fofana will miss the rest of the season due to a serious hamstring injury, dealing a blow to the Blues' bid to secure a finish between the first four.
Fofana arrived from Leicester in August 2022. Since then, Chelsea have made 125 appearances in all competitions, but the 24-year-old Frenchman has only been able to appear in 32 of them due to a hellish injury history.
Manager Enzo Maresca confirmed in his pre-Crystal Palace press conference that Fofana now faces another long spell on the sidelines, although they have not yet decided whether he needs surgery.
With Benoit Badiashile also out until at least February, defensive problems increase for Maresca after losses to Ipswich and Fulham and a draw with Everton.
As reported by Mail Sport, Aaron Anselmino has now been officially recalled from his loan to Boca Juniors and the 19-year-old defender will remain at Chelsea going forward.
“With Wes we are a better team, much, much better,” Maresca said ahead of Palace on Saturday. 'It's a big loss. We try to find different solutions. The first was Benoit, who did exactly the same thing against (Dominic) Solanke, against Tottenham, but then he got injured again.
Chelsea fear that Wesley Fofana could be out for the remainder of the 2024-25 season
Enzo Maresca's team will also not be able to count on Benoit Badiashile, who could be out until February
Captain Reece James is set to be part of the substitutes' bench and could take the armband if he comes on.
“We had Wes, we lost Wes, we tried to find a solution with Benoit, now we've lost Benoit.”
Maresca reiterated that Chelsea are not in the race for the Premier League title and said of leaders Liverpool: “Arne Slot is phenomenal. He is doing fantastic. Congratulations to him. We are not doing the same thing. We are not phenomenal compared to them , who are winning all the games.”
In more positive news, Romeo Lavia is close to returning and could be in the squad to face Palace as Chelsea look to bounce back from their mini slump. Captain Reece James will also at least occupy the substitutes' bench and, if he appears, will wear the armband in place of Enzo Fernandez.