{"id":5293,"date":"2026-05-07T09:14:12","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T09:14:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=5293"},"modified":"2026-05-07T09:14:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T09:14:12","slug":"blueco-could-be-about-to-make-a-49m-loss-on-chelsea-player-but-its-the-right-call","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=5293","title":{"rendered":"BlueCo could be about to make a \u00a349m loss on Chelsea player, but it&#8217;s the right call"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"post-366746\">\n<div class=\"article-follow\">\n<div class=\"article-sharing google-follow\">  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/wp-content\/themes\/grv-media\/img\/google-discover.svg\" alt=\"\"\/> <span>Add as preferred source on Google<\/span>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>This summer promises to be a busy one for Chelsea. Aside from appointing a new manager, Chelsea\u2019s playing squad needs plenty of work both in and out, and Wesley Fofana could be a departure.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As things stand, Chelsea have 10 senior players who can play at centre-back on the books. That includes out-on-loan duo Axel Disasi and Aaron Anselmino, and versatile duo Josh Acheampong and Jorrel Hato.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-grvmedia-grv-video GRVMultiVideo\"\/>\n<section class=\"grv-talking-point\" data-trigger=\"vue-sidebar-poll\" data-story-id=\"0014d213-24cc-415e-a559-10d6a8ddd9a0\" data-story-name=\"2025\/26 Season\" data-comment-id=\"02488e04-1dbb-43cd-90c6-73b1510c1bd7\" data-story-slug=\"2025-26-season\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__inner\">\n<header class=\"grv-talking-point__header\">  <\/header>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__content\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__cta\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-wrap\">\n<p><h3 class=\"grv-talking-point__title\">QUARTER-FINAL 1: Reece James vs Estevao Willian<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__embed\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/TCC-Polls-819x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-366757\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/TCC-Polls-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/TCC-Polls-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/TCC-Polls-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/TCC-Polls-912x1140.png 912w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/TCC-Polls-600x750.png 600w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/TCC-Polls.png 1080w\"\/><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>Fofana, Mamadou Sarr, Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo and Levi Colwill are also options in the middle of the defence. A few will have to leave, with Chelsea eyeing new centre-backs.<\/p>\n<p>Some reports claim Chelsea are willing to listen to offers for Tosin, Chalobah and Badiashile, while Disasi is likely to be sold and Anselmino could go on loan again. Now, Fofana could be set to leave West London.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-chelsea-are-right-to-sell-wesley-fofana-even-for-a-massive-loss\">Chelsea are right to sell Wesley Fofana, even for a massive loss<\/h2>\n<p>Fofana has endured a dismal four-year spell at Chelsea, following his huge \u00a375m move from Leicester in BlueCo\u2019s first summer at the club. Just 68 outings have followed after many injuries and bouts of form.<\/p>\n<p>His attitude has also come under the microscope. Laughing and joking with Ousmane Dembele after the loss to PSG, Fofana apologised after shrugging off Liam Rosenior\u2019s coaching staff against Man United.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272426378-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Brighton &#038; Hove Albion v Chelsea - Premier League\" class=\"wp-image-365074\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272426378-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272426378-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272426378-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272426378-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272426378-1140x759.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2272426378-750x500.jpg 750w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: Wesley Fofana of Chelsea during the warm up prior to the Premier League match between Brighton &amp; Hove Albion and Chelsea at Amex Stadium on April 21, 2026 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Warren Little\/Getty Images)\">Photo by Warren Little\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Calum McFarlane has dropped the Frenchman against Leeds and Forest, and rightly so. This is a player struggling to prove why he cost so much in the first place, and clearly, he needs a change of scenery.<\/p>\n<p>Reports say Fofana\u2019s agents are in talks with Barcelona, with Chelsea willing to sell him for just \u00a326m. Even if BlueCo suffer a massive loss on the 25-year-old, as much as \u00a349m, selling Fofana is the right decision.<\/p>\n<p>His attitude, his injuries and his lack of form are everything bad about Chelsea right now. The Blues are the worst side in the Premier League at defending open-play crosses, and Fofana has been central to that.<\/p>\n<section class=\"grv-talking-point\" data-trigger=\"vue-sidebar\" data-story-id=\"72ce44da-498e-4181-92cd-b035246aa62a\" data-story-name=\"Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest\" data-comment-id=\"c13f917b-3ddf-43e9-af80-366949d1df1f\" data-story-slug=\"chelsea-vs-nottingham-forest\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__inner\">\n<header class=\"grv-talking-point__header\">  <\/header>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__content\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__cta\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-wrap\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-content\">\n<h3 class=\"grv-talking-point__title\">Trevoh Chalobah has been getting away it for too long \ud83d\ude11<\/h3>\n<p class=\"grv-talking-point__subtitle\">This is alarming!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__embed\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/top-5-list-1-819x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-366494\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/top-5-list-1-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/top-5-list-1-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/top-5-list-1-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/top-5-list-1-912x1140.png 912w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/top-5-list-1-600x750.png 600w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/top-5-list-1.png 1080w\"\/><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-fofana-s-biggest-weakness-laid-bare-as-chelsea-open-to-sale\">Fofana\u2019s biggest weakness laid bare as Chelsea open to sale<\/h2>\n<p>For many Chelsea fans, the biggest problem is at centre-back. The club\u2019s inability to find two defenders able to keep the ball out of the back of the net is worrying, especially given the amount spent.<\/p>\n<p>But with Fofana specifically, it turns out he is in the bottom 5% of Premier League centre-backs for ground duels won. This season, he has won 58; but that equates to just 42.1% of duels he\u2019s entered.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, Fofana isn\u2019t strong enough defensively to play for a club like Chelsea. Does he make up for it in terms of leadership, ability on the ball or versatility? None of the above. Chelsea need to sell him.<\/p>\n<p>Even if they make a big loss on Fofana, getting him off the books is the right call. His transfer fee is only going to dwindle further come next summer, so selling him in the next few months does make sense.<\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more-wrapper lazy see-more-open see-more-blank extra-content\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/columnist\/blueco-could-be-about-to-make-a-49m-loss-on-chelsea-player-but-its-the-right-call\/none\" data-type=\"subscribe\">\n<div class=\"see-more subscribe\">\n<figure class=\"newsletter\">\n<div><svg class=\"loading\" width=\"118\" height=\"36\" viewbox=\"0 0 118 36\"><use href=\"#dots-svg\"\/><\/svg><\/p>\n<div class=\"signup\"><span class=\"hf\">Join Our Newsletter<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><script>grvLoadAnalytics = () => {(function(d,s,i){var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)(0),j=d.createElement(s);j.async=true;j.src=\"https:\/\/www.googletagmanager.com\/gtag\/js?id=\"+i;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(document,'script','G-E7VRWQHDP6');(function(d,s,i){if(!\/callback=in\/.test(window.location.search)){var e=d.createElement(s);var n=d.getElementsByTagName(s)(0);e.type=\"text\/javascript\";e.async=true;e.src=\"https:\/\/static.chartbeat.com\/js\/chartbeat.js\";n.parentNode.insertBefore(e,n);}})(document,\"script\",\"G-E7VRWQHDP6\");(function(){let s=document.createElement(\"script\");s.async=true;s.dataset.domain=\"thechelseachronicle.com\/MFj4XQ\";s.src=\"https:\/\/api.publytics.net\/js\/script.manual.ping.min.js\";document.getElementsByTagName(\"head\")(0).appendChild(s);})();if(!\/callback=in\/.test(window.location.search)){setTimeout(function(){!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=();t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)(0);s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,document,'script','https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');fbq('init','663509325503632');fbq('track','PageView');fbq('track','ViewContent',{content_name:'BlueCo could be about to make a \u00a349m loss on Chelsea player, but it&#8217;s the right call',content_category:'Opinion',content_ids:(366746,\"wesley-fofana\"),content_type:'post',});},3000);}}<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Add as preferred source on Google This summer promises to be a busy one for&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2496,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5293","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5293","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5293"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5293\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2496"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5293"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5293"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5293"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}