Fofana factor’s the biggest challenge facing new boss
WHEN you inherit a club expected to challenge for honours just six games into a new season, you know there are going to be a number of problems to sort out quickly.
But when Nathaniel Clyne fell awkwardly and had to be stretchered off after 40 minutes, Graham Potter immediately made it clear which problem is at the forefront of his mind.
The injury break probably lasted two or three minutes and the new Chelsea boss used virtually the entire time desperately talking tactics to Wesley Fofana.
The £75million defender’s Chelsea career has certainly not started with anything like the brightness of his brilliant orange boots.
After an awkward introduction into Thomas Tuchel’s side, Potter’s first significant decision after taking over was to leave the former Leicester player out of his opening Champions League clash.
Recalled for his second game in charge, it took just seven minutes of this bloodand-guts encounter at Crystal Palace to see why Potter had misgivings.
Too easily flustered by Crystal Palace’s exuberant high press, Fofana conceded the ball to Wilfried Zaha.
While the Palace talisman moved the ball on with speed and intent to
Odsonne Edouard and then Jordan Ayew, Fofana lumbered back towards his goal. But too slowly to anticipate the continued run of Edouard, who darted off to convert the perfect cross.
Pace was precisely what Fofana was supposed to bring to the side, with allowance given for any greenness while he learned from those around him. “Fofana has a great opportunity to learn a lot from Thiago Silva,” former Chelsea defensive legend William Gallas had said ahead of the game.
“All the defenders, they learned from someone. Alessandro Nesta, he was next to Paolo Maldini. So for defenders to go to the next level you need that.”
Yet the flow of information in the heart of the Chelsea defence appeared to be going in the opposite direction.
Half an hour alongside Fofana, and the veteran Brazilian defender was flailing hopelessly on the ground, pushing the ball away from Ayew with his hand after being caught in two minds.
Thiago was lucky to escape a red card and luckier still to be left up the pitch following a corner and find himself in the perfect place to nod the ball down for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to equalise.
The Fofana factor was spreading – no wonder Potter was not going to wait a moment longer for that one-to-one lecture with the 21-year-old.
Yet from John Terry to Antonio Rudiger – the man Fofana must replace – the seat of Chelsea’s character has often rested in that centre-back position.
Yes, he is still young, but for a Virgil van Dijk-sized price tag, Fofana’s employers need to be able to lean on something that is more than just the player.
They need a genuinely colourful character – a leader and a rock.
Not just a nervy centreback hiding his worries inside bright orange boots.