Chelsea have reportedly identified Leicester City defender Wesley Fofana as a long-term replacement for contract rebel Antonio Rudiger.
Antonio Rudiger is currently one of the Premier League’s top defenders, and he will be out of contract at Chelsea in June. It appears the centre-back is unhappy as they have not met his hefty demands over a new deal.
With the defending European champions unwilling to agree to his proposals, it looks increasingly likely that the German international will leave on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Considering the threat of Rudiger walking out of the club for free, and the likes of Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta into the final year of their contracts, Goal report that Chelsea have earmarked Leicester City’s Wesley Fofana as a long-term defensive option.
Wesley Fofana highly rated among the best in his age group across Europe, is yet to feature for Leicester City this season due to a nasty broken fibula and ankle ligament damage he sustained in a pre-season friendly game against Villarreal.
The young Frenchman is expected to return from the long layoff next month, and Chelsea are likely to monitor his progress after returning to full fitness before making their move.
Wesley Fofana to Chelsea – A smart long-term addition?
As the futures of Rudiger, Azpilicueta and Christensen are uncertain at Stamford Bridge and Thiago Silva isn’t getting any younger, Chelsea are certainly drawing up contingency plans to avoid a potential defensive crisis ahead of the next season.
Academy kid Trevoh Chalobah has broken into the first-team setup and performed impressively in a back three under Thomas Tuchel this season while highly-rated Malang Sarr continues to deputise well when called upon. However, Tuchel must begin his defensive overhaul next summer by bringing in a couple of young and exciting centre-backs to the club.
Leicester City’s Wesley Fofana has fallen on the radar of Chelsea. Fofana enjoyed a solid debut Premier League campaign under Brendan Rodgers, helping the Foxes clinch a fifth-place finish on the table and subsequently a Europa League berth last term.
An unfortunate long-term ankle injury has hampered his progress at the King Power Stadium, but there is hope that he will return stronger and fitter to Rodgers’s side in 2022.
Widely regarded as one of the brightest defensive prospects in European football, Fofana is a strong, tough-tackling and fast player with good aerial and game-reading ability.
The France Under-21 international is a crisp passer, likes to move forward with the ball and join attacks. Sharp and diligent, the ex-Saint Etienne man has matured and composed head on young shoulders, which makes him perfect for Tuchel’s side.
As Fofana is contracted at the King Power Stadium until 2025, Leicester City will likely demand a huge asking price if Chelsea come calling. If he quickly attains full fitness and regains last season’s form, the Blues could bag a long-term asset by securing the French defender’s signature.