Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana spoke with renewed confidence during an exclusive interview with the club media, a conversation shared through Chelsea’s official X handle, giving supporters deeper insight into his progress this season, Softfootball reports.
It is with a spring in his step that Fofana greeted the media team at Cobham. Training had just ended, and although the squad was reduced due to the international break, he described it as another strong, productive session. Now 24, he is finally beginning to enjoy the steady rhythm of football again after years disrupted by injuries.
This season has been kinder. Aside from a brief absence under concussion protocols, Fofana has been available for every matchday squad in 2025/26. He has started half of Chelsea’s league fixtures, including the 3–0 win over Wolves, where he played the full 90 minutes, and the 1–0 away victory at Tottenham, where he featured for 89 minutes. His speed and defensive intelligence were crucial in both clean sheets, shutting down the opposition’s counter-attacks.
According to Chelsea’s official X handle, Fofana emphasised the joy of being back fully involved, saying:
The best feeling is when you can be on the pitch and help the team win games.
Helping the team, this is the nicest feeling. I feel very good now. I’m working hard to stay fit, to stay strong and to continue to help the team win.
Fofana acknowledges he is still building toward peak fitness after his hamstring surgery earlier this year. While he is training normally, he continues to be carefully managed by head coach Enzo Maresca and the club’s medical staff, something he now appreciates more deeply. He explained;
In football, it’s hard to take your time because there is a game every three days, but he (Maresca) protects me and pushes me in a good way
He doesn’t take risks with me because he wants, step by step, for me to play every three days. The target is to play every game. We need to progress carefully. I agree with it.
This season, Fofana has been deployed both at centre-back and occasionally at right-back. Maresca asks him to cover large spaces, especially when full-backs invert to strengthen midfield numbers. Fofana says he understands the tactical plan.
When the coach puts me in a certain position, I know why. I have had a lot of discussions with him and I trust him. We have a good relationship, and I give everything for him and for the team.
Even when recovering from injury, Fofana remained a lively and positive presence within the squad. He joined the group at the Club World Cup in Philadelphia, witnessing firsthand the physical demands on his teammates. Chelsea’s eventual triumph over PSG left him very happy and very proud.
Missing both that success and the Conference League triumph in Wroclaw has only increased his desire to contribute meaningfully this season. He said;
I want more because I missed out. I want to feel those experiences and those moments. I am completely focused on that. It makes me hungrier to win.
Looking ahead, he believes Chelsea’s strength will come from unity. He stated;
Now it’s important we stay together because it’s a long season. We have a lot to fight for. My objective is to stay with the team and fight for everything with the team.
And as the Blues push into a demanding stretch of the campaign, one thing is clear, a fully fit and confident Wesley Fofana changes the level of this Chelsea side and the club will only benefit from his full return.
