Wesley Fofana’s season ending injury was announced on the very day that preseason began. The timing literally could not have been worse. After waiting essentially a whole year to get him fit, we’re now without him for what looks like the entirety of his second campaign.
It’s a disaster, but the club have acted quickly, to their credit. Today they announced the signing of Axel Disasi from Monaco. He looks a good player, and will fill Fofana’s spot in the squad.
The question is whether this is going to be a smart move long term, and there are debates raging back and forth online about this. We desperately need central midfielders, and we’ve spent essentially 3 months battling with Brighton over Moises Caicedo and a £20m or so difference in valuation.
𝑶𝑭𝑭𝑰𝑪𝑰𝑨𝑳: Chelsea confirm £39m Disasi signing in swift swoop after Fofana injury https://t.co/grtienrVj2
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) August 4, 2023
If Disasi ends up being 4th choice behind Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill and Thiago Silva, he’s likely to play very little this season, given we’re not in Europe and look likely to play a back 4.
When Fofana returns, that only adds to the complications.
Wouldn’t it have been better to keep Trevoh Chalobah, and spend some of the reported £39m on securing Caicedo? We may well end up thinking that a few months down the line. The 4th choice defender in this team is likely to play relatively little, and having £39m on the bench and absolutely nothing on the pitch in midfield may end up hurting us more.
