{"id":1523,"date":"2026-08-18T16:37:16","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T16:37:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=1523"},"modified":"2026-08-18T16:37:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T16:37:16","slug":"xabi-alonsos-view-of-wesley-fofana-after-watching-chelsea-defender-in-pre-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=1523","title":{"rendered":"Xabi Alonso’s view of Wesley Fofana after watching Chelsea defender in pre-season"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Wesley Fofana featured heavily in Chelsea\u2019s pre-season, with the defender managing to stay fit.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fofana<\/a> has had a lot of injury problems since joining Chelsea<\/a> from Leicester City in 2022, but he is available going into the new campaign. <\/p>\n

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Fofana will miss the trip to Fulham<\/a>, though, due to a suspension that has carried over from last season. The central defender was sent off in Chelsea\u2019s final Premier League<\/a> game against Sunderland, which ended in a 2-1 defeat.<\/p>\n

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What does the future hold for Chelsea if Todd Boehly sells his stake? \ud83e\udd14<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Xabi Alonso a fan of Wesley Fofana<\/h2>\n

Fofana is not the most popular player among Chelsea supporters right now, but he is someone Xabi Alonso<\/a> seems to appreciate.<\/p>\n

According to journalist Simon Phillips on Si Phillips Talks Chelsea<\/a>, Alonso really likes Fofana and has been impressed with what he has seen from the 25-year-old in pre-season.<\/p>\n

Following the acquisition of Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace, many were expecting Fofana to be on the bench this term.<\/p>\n

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However, towards the end of Chelsea\u2019s pre-season tour, Alonso started using a back three, meaning that there could be room for Fofana, Lacroix and Levi Colwill to all start.<\/p>\n

If Alonso uses a back three against Fulham, it will be interesting to see who lines up alongside Lacroix and Colwill. Reece James is an option to play in central defence<\/a>, but he started in midfield last time out and may be needed there again, depending on what happens with Enzo Fernandez.<\/p>\n

Make or break for Wesley Fofana<\/h2>\n

This has to be it for Fofana now. He has been at Chelsea for four years and has not established himself in the team yet.<\/p>\n

Injuries have played their part, but when the Frenchman was in the side last season, he did not always impress.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, for a \u00a370m defender, Chelsea would have been expecting a bit more from Fofana. It is now or never for the France international at Stamford Bridge<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Another underwhelming season, and you would expect Chelsea to move him on next summer.<\/p>\n

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