Report: Chelsea request tests on key defender's injury
- Wesley Fofana's shin problem will be examined by France staff on Chelsea's request
- Centre-back has started every Premier League game this season after a long absence
- One of two Chelsea players already guaranteed to miss upcoming clash with Liverpool
Before France take on Israel and Belgium in the UEFA Nations League this Thursday, Chelsea have demanded that their centre-back Wesley Fofana undergoes tests on a shin complaint.
The 23-year-old has been plagued by fitness concerns throughout the last three years, missing more than 140 games for club and country since he broke his leg in August 2021. A series of knee injuries limited Fofana to just 12 league starts across his first two seasons at Chelsea, but he has been fit enough to lead off in every top-flight game under Enzo Maresca this term.
That uncharacteristic clean bill of health has been potentially compromised by damage to Fofana's shin which he sustained three weeks ago in a 3-0 victory over West Ham United. The Frenchman has started and finished both of Chelsea's subsequent Premier League fixtures, including Sunday's 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest, which was extended by 15 minutes of stoppage time.
However, Chelsea have reached out to the France setup, requesting tests on their player to avoid aggravating any existing issue, according to the French publication, RMC Sport. This is expected to just be a precautionary measure, with Fofana in line to earn his second international cap more than a year after he made his first appearance under Didier Deschamps against Gibraltar in June 2023.
There is plenty of reason for concern surrounding Fofana's status. The former Leicester City defender spent more than 400 consecutive days on the sidelines with a cruciate ligament rupture before returning to the pitch in Chelsea's pre-season.
"The hardest part was trying to forget everything about my injury," he reflected in August. "I had to try not to be scared and try to concentrate on the game."
Whatever results emerge from the tests, there is no chance of Fofana appearing for Chelsea in their first fixture back from the October international break. In the same game that he sustained his shin injury, the front-foot centre-back picked up his fifth booking of the campaign. Fofana, together with Marc Cucurella, will be suspended for his club's trip to Anfield on Sunday 20 October.
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