Enzo Maresca, the Chelsea manager, assures there’s no indication Wesley Fofana wants to exit Stamford Bridge, despite the defender removing his Chelsea-related images from Instagram.
The 24-year-old French international, who remained on the bench during Sunday’s 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace, previously did something similar in 2022 before his £70 million ($94 million) transfer from Leicester to Chelsea.
In the match against Palace, the 19-year-old academy product Josh Acheampong was preferred alongside Trevoh Chalobah, even with fellow central defender Levi Colwill sidelined due to a long-term injury.
After the game, Maresca explained he hadn’t planned to use Fofana, as he had missed much of the last season after a hamstring injury in December.
Fofana is anticipated to feature when Chelsea takes on West Ham at the London Stadium on Friday.
“I’ve been speaking with Wes daily. He’s thrilled, mainly because he’s back from injury and participating fully in training,” Maresca stated in a Thursday pre-match press conference.
“He was on the bench to be with the team, but starting Friday, he’ll get some playtime. We’re glad, and he’s glad. Regarding Instagram, I have no insight as I don’t use social media.”
Fofana, who has only managed 34 appearances in three seasons due to injuries, faced online backlash after erasing Chelsea references from his Instagram on Wednesday.
“Wes is content, and we are too; there’s nothing more to add,” affirmed Maresca. “If there’s online abuse, it’s never acceptable. Not for Wes, nor for any player or person. It’s something beyond our control.”
Maresca seems to be in a dispute with Chelsea’s hierarchy after expressing before the Palace game that “the club knows” he wants a replacement for Colwill, given his crucial role in initiating attacks from defense.
Tosin Adarabioyo, who missed the Palace match but is expected to face West Ham, is seen as the only current squad member capable of filling Colwill’s position.
Maresca, who previously ruled out using Fofana in this role after an unsuccessful attempt last season against Bournemouth, has been informed by the club he must work with the existing squad.
“We used Josh in the last match, and we’re exploring internal solutions… we’ll see what develops,” remarked the Italian.
