Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that defenders Wesley Fofana and Reece James are set to miss several weeks of action due to injuries.
This news comes as the Blues look to sustain their impressive early-season form, sitting level with Arsenal in second place after a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa.
Fofana Out for Up to 12 Games
Fofana, who has been a key part of Chelsea’s defense, suffered a hamstring injury during the Villa clash.
Maresca described the setback as “bad news,” estimating the 23-year-old will miss 10 to 12 games.
The Italian expressed his disappointment, noting Fofana’s excellent performances before the injury:
“Wes was doing fantastic, but we need to assess and respond.”
James Faces Ongoing Struggles
Meanwhile, Chelsea captain Reece James remains sidelined after experiencing a hamstring issue 10 days ago.
This marks his seventh hamstring injury since the 2021/22 season.
Maresca provided a cautious update, confirming James is improving but still weeks away from returning:
“We will have to wait a bit. James is getting better, but it is weeks to come back.”
The defender’s prolonged absence is a significant blow, as Chelsea continue to navigate a busy fixture schedule.
Enzo Maresca’s Optimism for Chelsea’s Future
Despite these challenges, Maresca remains optimistic about Chelsea’s potential this season, though he downplayed their involvement in the title race. He expressed confidence in the team’s trajectory, saying:
“For sure it is a big loss, but we need to find a way to adapt. The future for this club is bright.”
As Chelsea aim to build on their strong league position, the focus will now shift to ensuring depth in their squad to cover for the absence of two key defenders.
