Enzo Maresca has had to make a specific arrangement for one of his key players.
Upon becoming Chelsea’s manager, he inherited a massive squad that required considerable downsizing during the transfer window.
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With a more streamlined squad, Maresca has guided Chelsea to fourth place in the Premier League after seven matches.
Wesley Fofana has been a mainstay in the team, starting every league game this season, and Maresca is reportedly very fond of the defender.
However, according to L’Equipe, Maresca and his staff have agreed that Fofana will only play once a week until January 2025. This measure is meant to prevent injuries, as Fofana has spent much of the past two seasons sidelined.
The French defender missed the entirety of last season due to an ACL injury, and Chelsea left him out of their Europa Conference League squad to help manage his fitness.
Fofana did not feature in France’s 4-1 win over Israel on Thursday, staying on the bench.
He is also set to miss Chelsea’s upcoming match against Liverpool after the international break due to suspension, having received his fifth yellow card of the season during the 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest. Marc Cucurella is also suspended, having picked up five bookings in seven matches.
Maresca will now need to adjust his usual defense, which has only conceded eight goals so far this season. Tosin Adarabioyo is expected to step in for Fofana at Anfield.
Speaking after Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over West Ham in September, Maresca said of Fofana: “Wes is a player I really love and we love with Wes because he is doing fantastic after one year of injury.”
He added: “For any player that is out for a year, it is not easy and he is doing top. This is the only thing we want from him.”
