Another Chelsea star returns to Cobham after 'feeling pain in his knee' as Maresca could be forced into change

Chelsea have confirmed that Wesley Fofana, who has been excellent since returning from a knee injury that sidelined him last season, will not join the France squad despite being called up.

Fofana was hoping to feature for France after his standout performance for Chelsea in their recent match against Arsenal. However, the club has decided to prioritise his health and reduce the risk of further injury.

As a result, Chelsea issued a statement confirming that Fofana would not travel to France and would instead remain at Cobham for treatment.A Chelsea statement read: "Wesley Fofana, who is experiencing pain in his knee, will not take part in the gathering with the French national team. Benjamin Pavard has been called up as a reinforcement."

Chelsea signed Fofana from Leicester in 2022 for £70 million with the aim of making him the cornerstone of their defence. Alongside Levi Colwill, Fofana has formed an impressive partnership this season, with hopes that the duo can continue to develop and become even better.

However, should Fofana not recover in time for next weekend’s visit to Leicester, Chelsea are well-equipped with fellow French defenders Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile. Both were promising during their time at Monaco and have been tipped for success at Chelsea.

Enzo Maresca has been excellent in managing the squad, ensuring that every player is competing for minutes, including those who featured in the Cup match. His approach has pushed the first team to perform at their best, creating a positive team spirit.

There were concerns over the fitness of Cole Palmer, who played against Arsenal with a suspected knee injury. However, he has reported for duty, and all appears to be well. Moisés Caicedo will also travel to Ecuador, despite being suspended for their match against Bolivia.

Sources at Chelsea have told LondonWorld that the club will only withdraw a player from an international fixture if they believe the player's health is at risk.