“I am in love with him” - Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca names one player who has impressed him since taking over at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has revealed that he has been really impressed with Wesley Fofana after taking charge at Stamford Bridge this summer. Fofana has started every game under the Italian in the Premier League this season and has looked thoroughly impressive.
The Frenchman has been unfortunate with injuries since joining Chelsea from Leicester City in the summer of 2022. He reportedly cost the Blues a whopping £75 million transfer fee but made only 20 appearances before this campaign.
Having missed 77 games in two seasons for the west London giants with various injuries including an ACL tear, Fofana looks like a player reborn under Maresca. The new Blues boss has admitted that he admires the defender and how he has come back to his best despite missing so many games with injuries.
Following his side's 3-0 victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium on September 21, Maresca said, as quoted by Caught Offside:
"Wes is a player that I really love, I am in love with Wes! He is doing fantastic after one year injured and, for any player in the world, when you are out for one year and then you come back it is not easy, and he is doing top. This is the only thing we want from him."
Chelsea have enjoyed a solid start to the 2024-25 season having won three of their first five games. They are fifth in the table, with Fofana showcasing his potential at the back.
The former Leicester City star started as a centre-back in the first four games and was deployed as a right-back against West Ham. In the absence of Reece James and Malo Gusto, the 23-year-old did well in an unnatural position before being subbed off in the 57th minute.
Gary Cahill heaps praise on Chelsea star following West Ham win
Former Chelsea defender Gary Cahill lavished praise on Nicolas Jackson after the striker's stunning performance against West Ham United. The Senegal international scored twice and assisted another to help the Blues secure a 3-0 win at the London Stadium.
Gary Cahill has claimed that Jackson looks a lot more confident this season following a mixed debut season at Stamford Bridge. He told NBC Sports, as quoted by Metro:
"He’s a young boy, he’s still learning. I liked his game today for a number of reasons: his finishes and the two goals that he scored, of course, but I liked the way he was willing to run in behind, he was dropping deep at times to link up the play."
"I thought his all-round play was superb. He looks a confident boy so I don’t think that noise around him will bother him too much and it’s all about doing his talking on the pitch. His numbers are looking good at the moment."
Cahill also suggested that Jackson has what it takes to become the number nine Chelsea have been seeking for a long time. He added:
"I think there’s a long way to go and obviously that No.9 shirt is very heavy. But he’s doing fantastically well and with the attacking options that they have as well, you saw today the bench: they have options there in all the attacking areas."
"So no, I think he’s more than capable of taking that No.9 shirt and running with it. Staying fit and healthy is key but going back to his numbers, he’s done superbly."
Chelsea signed Jackson in the summer of 2023 in a deal worth a reported £32 million from Villarreal. The 23-year-old has scored 21 goals in 50 appearances for the Blues while providing eight assists.