Chelsea's Fofana to miss rest of season due to severe injury

Chelsea and France defender Wesley Fofana is set to miss the rest of the 2024-25 season after undergoing surgery following a hamstring injury.

Fofana initially suffered a hamstring injury against Aston Villa on December 1 and missed three months of action but returned in March.

The centre-back played twice ahead of the March international break, but after that missed this week's Premier League 1-0 win over Tottenham after suffering a fresh setback.

According to reports, Fofana will miss the remainder of the season, including the FIFA Club World Cup, and return for the 2025-26 campaign.

"Wesley was assessed by specialists this week after the 24-year-old suffered an injury of the muscle. Following that assessment, it was concluded that an operation would be required," read a Chelsea statement on Saturday.

"He will now begin his recovery and undergo rehabilitation with the club's medical staff at Cobham over the coming weeks."

Fofana has faced various injuries since joining Chelsea from Leicester City in 2022. He started just 12 Premier League games in his debut season before missing the entire previous campaign 2023-24 after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

The France international has featured just 14 times for Enzo Maresca's side this campaign.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 31

Saturday

Everton - Arsenal 1-1 (0-1)

/Ndiaye 49 (p) - Trossard 34/

Crystal Palace - Brighton 2-1 (1-1)

/Mateta 3, Munoz 55 - Welbeck 31/

Ipswich - Wolverhampton 1-2 (1-0)

/Delap 16 - Sarabia 72, Larsen 84/

West Ham - Bournemouth 2-2 (0-1)

/Fullkrug 61, Bowen 68 - Evanilson 38, 79/

Aston Villa - Nott.Forest 2-1 (2-0)

/Rogers 13, Malen 15 - Jota Silva 57/

Sunday

16:00: (3.40) Brentford (3.60) Chelsea (2.20)

16:00: (4.20) Fulham (3.80) Liverpool (1.90)

16:00: (1.40) Tottenham (4.80) Southampton (7.75)

18:30: (3.45) Man.Utd. (3.50) Man.City (2.20)

Monday

22:00: (6.50) Leicester (4.30) Newcastle (1.50)

***odds are subject to change***