Wesley Fofana (footballer)

Last updated

Wesley Fofana
Wesley Fofana 2022.jpg
Fofana playing for Leicester City in 2022
Personal information
Full name Wesley Tidjan Fofana [1]
Date of birth (2000-12-17) 17 December 2000 (age 23) [2]
Place of birth Marseille, France
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) [3]
Position(s) Centre-back [4]
Team information
Current team
 Chelsea
Number 33
Youth career
2006–2008 Repos Vitrolles
2008–2010 Bassin Minier
2010–2011 Pennes Mirabeau
2011–2015 Bel Air
2015–2018 Saint-Étienne
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2018–2019 Saint-Étienne II 21 (0)
2019–2020 Saint-Étienne 20 (1)
2020–2022 Leicester City 37 (0)
2022– Chelsea 15 (1)
International career‡
2020–2022 France U21 7 (0)
2023– France 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:33, 28 May 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 16 June 2023

Wesley Tidjan Fofana (born 17 December 2000) is a French professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Premier League club Chelsea and the France national team.

Contents

Early and personal life

Fofana was born in Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, France. [5] His father is Ivorian, whereas his mother is French. [6] One of six children, he started playing football at the age of six playing for Repos Vitrolles. [7]

Fofana is Muslim. On 22 April 2021, he was substituted on the hour mark during Leicester's 3–0 win against West Bromwich Albion, while Fofana was daytime fasting for the month of the Muslim Ramadan. [8] In the next match against Crystal Palace, the game was paused after the half-hour mark for Fofana and Cheikhou Kouyaté to have some fluids to end their fast. [9]

Fofana showed his support for the Palestinians after winning the 2021 English FA Cup Final by waving a large flag of Palestine, along with fellow Leicester City teammate Hamza Choudhury, during their team celebrations that took place amidst the 2021 Palestinian-Israeli clashes in May 2021. [10]

Club career

Saint-Étienne

Having been in the youth system since 2015, Fofana signed his first professional contract with Saint-Étienne on 15 May 2018. [11] He made his debut for the club in a 3–0 league win over Nice on 18 May 2019. [12]

Leicester City

Fofana joined English Premier League club Leicester City on 2 October 2020, signing a five-year contract. [13] The transfer fee paid to Saint-Étienne was reported as up to £36.5 million. [14] On 15 May 2021, he played in the 2021 FA Cup Final, which Leicester won 1–0 for his first career honour in England. [15] He and teammate Hamza Choudhury both celebrated draped in the flag of Palestine, during the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis. [16]

On 21 May 2021, Fofana won Leicester City's Young Player of the Season award after being voted by the club's supporters. [17]

On 4 August 2021, during a pre-season friendly against Villarreal, Fofana suffered a broken leg following a challenge by Fer Niño. [18] On 17 March 2022, Fofana played his first match since his injury, scoring in a 2–1 defeat to Stade Rennais in the UEFA Europa Conference League which secured Leicester's progress to the next round on a 3–2 aggregate score. [19]

Chelsea

On 31 August 2022, Fofana joined Premier League club Chelsea on a seven-year contract [20] for a reported initial fee of £70 million, plus £5 million in add-ons. [21] [22] After signing for Chelsea, Fofana criticised his former club Leicester City, accusing them of issuing "false and misleading comments" during his protracted transfer. [23] On 3 September, he made his debut for the club in a 2–1 win at home against West Ham United in the Premier League. [24] He scored his first goal for Chelsea on 5 October in a Champions League 3–0 victory against AC Milan at Stamford Bridge, but suffered a major knee injury after 38 minutes, forcing him to be substituted off, and was ruled out until February 2023. [25]

Fofana returned from injury on 18 February 2023, in a 1–0 home defeat against Southampton. [26] He scored his first ever Premier League goal against Leeds United on 4 March, in a 1–0 home victory. [27] On 18 July 2023, Chelsea revealed that Fofana had suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACL) and had undergone a surgery. [28] In late November 2023, it was announced that Fofana had been cleared to resume training following his recovery from the ACL injury. [29]

International career

In March 2023, Fofana received his first call-up to the France senior national team for the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying matches against the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland. [30] However, he was forced to withdraw from the squad due to injury.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 28 May 2023 [31]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cup [lower-alpha 1] League cup [lower-alpha 2] EuropeTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Saint-Étienne 2018–19 Ligue 1 200000—20
2019–20 Ligue 114161202 [lower-alpha 3] 0242
2020–21 Ligue 140———40
Total201612020302
Leicester City 2020–21 Premier League 28040006 [lower-alpha 3] 0380
2021–22 Premier League7000005 [lower-alpha 4] 1121
2022–23 Premier League20—00—20
Total3704000111521
Chelsea 2022–23 Premier League15100005 [lower-alpha 5] 1202
Career total722101201821025

International

As of match played 16 June 2023 [32]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
France 202310
Total10

Honours

Saint-Étienne

Leicester City

Individual

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">César Azpilicueta</span> Spanish footballer (born 1989)

César Azpilicueta Tanco is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a defender for La Liga club Atlético Madrid and the Spain national team. He is best remembered for his time with English club Chelsea, who he spent over a decade with and captained. Known for his workrate, leadership and defensive prowess, he is regarded as one of Chelsea's best defenders of the modern era and one of the best Premier League defenders of the 2010s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danny Drinkwater</span> English footballer (born 1990)

Daniel Noel Drinkwater is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcos Alonso (footballer, born 1990)</span> Spanish footballer (born 1990)

Marcos Alonso Mendoza is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a left-back or centre-back for La Liga club Barcelona and the Spain national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kurt Zouma</span> French footballer (born 1970)

Kurt Happy Zouma is a French professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for and captains Premier League club West Ham United.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antonio Rüdiger</span> German footballer (born 1993)

Antonio Rüdiger is a German professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for La Liga club Real Madrid and the Germany national team. Considered one of the best defenders in the world, he is known for his aggressive playing style, tackling ability and strong aerial presence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daniel Amartey</span> Ghanaian association football player

Daniel Amartey is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays as a defender or midfielder for Süper Lig club Beşiktaş and the Ghana national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Youri Tielemans</span> Belgian association football player

Youri Marion A. Tielemans is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Aston Villa and the Belgium national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">N'Golo Kanté</span> French footballer (born 1991)

N'Golo Kanté is a French professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad and the France national team. Considered one of the best midfielders of his generation, he is known for his work rate and defensive acumen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Gomez (footballer)</span> English footballer (born 1997)

Joseph Dave Gomez is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Premier League club Liverpool.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Maddison</span> English footballer (born 1996)

James Daniel Maddison is an English professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur and the England national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilfred Ndidi</span> Nigerian footballer

Onyinye Wilfred Ndidi is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for EFL Championship club Leicester City and the Nigeria national team. Ndidi is known for his defensive prowess.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Chilwell</span> English footballer (born 1996)

Benjamin James Chilwell is an English professional footballer who plays as a left-back or left wing-back for Premier League club Chelsea and the England national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hamza Choudhury</span> English footballer (born 1997)

Hamza Dewan Choudhury is a professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder or right-back for EFL Championship club Leicester City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mason Mount</span> English footballer (born 1999)

Mason Tony Mount is an English professional footballer who plays as an attacking or central midfielder for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Gilmour</span> Scottish association football player

Billy Clifford Gilmour is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion and the Scotland national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reece James (footballer, born 1999)</span> English footballer (born 1999)

Reece Lewis James is an English professional footballer who plays as a right back for Premier League club Chelsea, which he captains, and the England national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tariq Lamptey</span> Ghana international footballer (born 2000)

Tariq Kwame Nii-Lante Lamptey is a professional footballer who plays as a right wing-back or right-back for Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion and the Ghana national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luke Thomas (footballer, born 2001)</span> English footballer

Luke Jonathan Thomas is an English professional footballer who plays as a left-back or left wing-back for EFL Championship club Middlesbrough, on loan from Leicester City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 FA Cup final</span> Association football championship match between Chelsea and Leicester City in 2021

The 2021 FA Cup final was an association football match played between Chelsea and Leicester City at Wembley Stadium, London, England on 15 May 2021. Organised by the Football Association (FA), it was the 140th final of the Football Association Challenge Cup and the showpiece match of English football's primary cup competition. The match was among the first football events where the return of large crowds was piloted after the COVID-19 pandemic in England, with an official attendance of 20,000 after the previous year's final was held behind closed doors. The match was televised live in the United Kingdom on free-to-air channel BBC One and on pay TV channel BT Sport 1. In the UK, live radio coverage was provided by BBC Radio 5 Live, Talksport and local stations BBC Radio London and BBC Radio Leicester. The match was watched by more than 9 million people in the United Kingdom.

David Datro Fofana is an Ivorian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Premier League club Burnley, on loan from Chelsea, and the Ivory Coast national team.

References

  1. ↑ "2022/23 Premier League squad lists". Premier League. 14 September 2022. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  2. ↑ "Wesley Fofana: Overview". ESPN. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  3. ↑ "Wesley Fofana". Chelsea FC. 13 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  4. ↑ "Wesley Fofana: Profile". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  5. ↑ "Wesley Fofana". L'Équipe (in French). Paris. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  6. ↑ "France ou Côte d'Ivoire? La réponse de Wesley Fofana est tombée !". 18 November 2021.
  7. ↑ Hendrix, Hale (29 October 2020). "Wesley Fofana Childhood Story Plus Untold Biography Facts". LifeBogger. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  8. ↑ Blackwell, Jordan (23 April 2021). "Brendan Rodgers to protect 'remarkable' Wesley Fofana during Ramadan". Leicestershire Live. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  9. ↑ "Wesley Fofana: Leicester defender thanks Premier League after being allowed to break Ramadan fast mid-game". Sky Sports.
  10. ↑ "Leicester City soccer players raise Palestinian flag after UK cup victory". Times of Israel. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  11. ↑ @ASSEofficiel. "Wesley Fofana signe professionnel". ASSE.fr.
  12. ↑ "AS Saint-Etienne - OGC Nice (3-0) - Saison 2018/2019 - Ligue 1 Conforama". www.lfp.fr.
  13. ↑ "Wesley Fofana: Leicester sign French defender from Saint-Etienne on five-year contract". BBC Sport. 2 October 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  14. ↑ Romano, Fabrizio (29 September 2020). "Leicester agree £36.5m deal to sign Wesley Fofana from St Etienne". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  15. ↑ "Chelsea 0-1 Leicester: Foxes lift FA Cup". UEFA. 15 May 2021.
  16. ↑ Donoghue, Eamon (15 May 2021). "Leicester duo celebrate FA Cup win with Palestine flag". The Irish Times. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  17. ↑ "Tielemans Scoops Player Of The Season Double". Leicester City F.C. 21 May 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  18. ↑ "Wesley Fofana: Leicester City defender suffers broken leg in friendly". BBC Sport. 5 August 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  19. ↑ "Wesley Fofana marks Leicester comeback with decisive goal at Rennes". The Guardian. 17 March 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  20. ↑ "Fofana signs for Chelsea". www.chelseafc.com. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  21. ↑ "Why 'generational talent' Wesley Fofana could prove to be a £70m bargain for Chelsea". Telegraph. 31 August 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  22. ↑ "Wesley Fofana: Chelsea complete signing of Leicester's French defender in £75m deal". SkySports. 31 August 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  23. ↑ "Wesley Fofana: Defender criticises former club Leicester City after Chelsea move". BBC Sport. 31 August 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  24. ↑ "Substitute Kai Havertz scored a late winner as Chelsea recovered to record a dramatic victory over West Ham". BBC Sport. 3 September 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  25. ↑ "Chelsea 3-0 AC Milan: Blues kickstart Champions League campaign with convincing win over Italian champions". Sky Sports. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  26. ↑ "Chelsea 0-1 Southampton: James Ward-Prowse free-kick deepens gloom for Graham Potter". BBC Sport. 18 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  27. ↑ "Chelsea 1-0 Leeds United: Wesley Fofana scores to ease pressure on Graham Potter". BBC Sport. 4 March 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  28. ↑ "Wesley fofana injury update". www.chelseafc.com. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  29. ↑ Gokhale, Aditya (24 November 2023). "Huge Chelsea boost! Wesley Fofana all smiles as Blues defender reaches significant milestone in ACL injury recovery". Goal.com. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  30. ↑ "La liste des vingt-trois Bleus". FFF (in French). 16 March 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  31. ↑ Wesley Fofana at Soccerway
  32. ↑ "Wesley Fofana". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  33. ↑ "Mbappé suffers ankle injury as PSG beat 10-man Saint-Étienne to lift French Cup". The Guardian . 24 July 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  34. ↑ McNulty, Phil (15 May 2021). "Chelsea 0–1 Leicester City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  35. ↑ "IFFHS".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.