Wesley Fofana may have escaped serious criticism after Chelsea's victory over Manchester United, but his performance was far from convincing, with a club legend questioning whether he has what it takes to succeed at Stamford Bridge.
Speaking on TNT Sports, former Chelsea winger Joe Cole was quick to highlight a weakness in the Blues' defensive display, criticising Fofana's lack of awareness and casual approach, which nearly proved costly for his side.
The most concerning moment came when the French defender was dispossessed by Amad in a dangerous area, almost handing Manchester United a route back into the game.
"He's asleep. Fofana comes asleep, trying to nail him and that's the second time, it's worrying from a Chelsea perspective."
However, the manner in which he was dispossessed suggested a worrying lack of awareness that could have proved costly against a more clinical opponent. It is also far from the first time Fofana has come under heavy criticism, with sections of the Chelsea fanbase already calling for him to find a new club or spend the remainder of his time at Stamford Bridge in the reserves.
It was not simply the fact that Fofana lost possession that made the incident so concerning. Defenders will occasionally be caught out, particularly when facing attackers with the pace and ability to punish mistakes. Fofana is making multiple mistakes in individual games, and those errors are now proving costly in competitive matches.
Cole's comments were particularly significant because he pointed out that this was the second time Fofana had been caught out in a similar situation. That raises questions about whether it was simply an isolated lapse in concentration or part of a wider problem with his defensive awareness. Defenders at Premier League level cannot afford to switch off, particularly when facing attackers capable of turning a seemingly harmless situation into a goalscoring opportunity.
The penalty incident and the shootout miss were simply poor, and while Chelsea's standards had been slipping even before Xabi Alonso's arrival, performances like this raise serious questions about whether players such as Fofana possess the talent, determination and quality required to meet the club's expectations.
Fofana joined Chelsea from Leicester City in a deal worth an initial £70 million, with a further £5 million in potential add-ons taking the total fee to £75 million. However, his four years at Stamford Bridge have been heavily disrupted by injuries, limiting him to just 79 appearances for the club.
It could be time to say goodbye.
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