Chelsea defender ruled out for rest of season after surgery

Chelsea have confirmed that the versatile defender Wesley Fofana was forced to undergo surgery on his hamstring which will likely force him to miss the rest of the campaign.

The luckless Frenchman has been plagued by fitness issues throughout his Chelsea career. After a mercifully injury-free opening four months to the season, Fofana picked up his first hamstring issue.

At the turn of the year, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca claimed that his centre-back "could be out of the season". Fofana publicly railed against this diagnosis and won the battle of wills by returning to action in March. Yet, that comeback lasted just two games before he resumed his familiar place in the treatment room with the same muscular complaint.

"The 24-year-old will now begin his recovery and undergo rehabilitation with the club's medical staff at Cobham over the coming weeks.

"Everyone at the club is fully focused on supporting Wesley in his recovery."

The Athletic report that Fofana will not only miss the conclusion to the Premier League and Conference League, but is expected to sit out this summer's inaugural Club World Cup.

Chelsea are one of two Premier League clubs - alongside Manchester City - involved in the expanded international tournament staged in the US this summer. The Blues begin their group stage campaign on 16 June - although they don't yet know their opponents as FIFA banned Mexican side Club Leon from the competition.

Maresca will still have plenty of defensive options while Fofana aims to return for the start of the 2025/26 campaign. Club captain Reece James has avoided any recent injury setbacks of his own while there is also the reliable deputy of Malo Gusto and Josh Acheampong's youthful exuberance at right-back. Levi Colwill can be partnered by any one of Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo or Trevoh Chalobah at centre-back.

READ THE LATEST CHELSEA NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP