The next Chelsea manager could have a bit of a clear out in the summer, so the likes of Wesley Fofana need to prove they deserve a future at Stamford Bridge.
Wesley Fofana has three games to prove to the next Chelsea manager that he deserves a future at Stamford Bridge.
The 25-year-old defender, whom the Blues signed from Leicester City for about £70m in August 2022, has often fallen short of expectations, but he offered a glimpse of his best self at the weekend. Alongside Levi Colwill at centre-half, Fofana helped Chelsea salvage a hard-fought draw against Liverpool. The Cobham graduate, who made his first start for the Blues since the Club World Cup final in July 2025, resumed his role as the deep-lying playmaker, recycling possession and breaking the lines.
He shouldered much of the in-possession workload, relieving the France international of a duty, which isn’t necessarily an area of expertise, that he previously had to juggle with Trevoh Chalobah. With Colwill now anchoring the ship, Fofana relished the role of the aggressor.
In fact, it was the Frenchman who won the free-kick that Enzo Fernandez converted to level proceedings before the break. Fofana stepped out of the backline to receive the ball deeper into the opposition half, beating Alexis Mac Allister before being brought down by Cody Gakpo.
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If Fofana can continue to impress in the final three games of the season, the next Chelsea manager could entrust him to partner Colwill for the foreseeable future. The duo have only ever played next to each other 15 times, winning eight, drawing five, and losing two. They were Enzo Maresca’s first-choice pair during the successful Club World Cup campaign last summer.
But, they already seem to have a great relationship – on and off the pitch. Upon full-time at Anfield on Saturday afternoon, Colwill and Fofana shared a joke before standing side by side as they applauded the travelling support; neither could wipe the smiles from their faces.
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In an interview with club media, the Frenchman insisted that he and his teammates could be proud of the performance. Fofana said: “It’s a good result.
“We tried to score the second goal, we created a lot of chances. I think we deserved more than a draw, but it’s good because it’s a big team and it’s hard to go there and win.
“So we can be proud, but we need to continue because next week we have a big game, an FA Cup final, and we will try everything to win the trophy. For sure, it’s not been the best moment, but we fight, and we are together.
“We have a few more games to come, we have one final, and we need to fight for Europe because Chelsea is a big club. We need to give everything. We have a final next week, we try to prepare well and win the trophy.”
Calum McFarlane was just as delighted to welcome back Colwill. In the post-match press conference, the interim Chelsea boss showered the 23-year-old defender with praise.
“I thought he was exceptional today,” said McFarlane. “I thought there was a lot of good performances. I’m really pleased for Levi. He’s been injured for a long time.
“The first 90 minutes, Anfield away, when the team aren’t particularly in their best form, to go and put that level of performance in, it doesn’t only show his level of talent and quality, it shows his mentality.
“So, I’m really pleased for Levi, as I am for the whole group and the team. I thought it was a really good performance.”
Colwill’s future is secure. He’ll be the defensive mainstay around whom the next Chelsea boss builds their defence. Fofana, after so many injuries, must prove he’s the right man to be his partner.
