Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana has shared that he was close to leaving Stamford Bridge for Marseille this summer, only to be persuaded to stay after a significant conversation with Enzo Maresca.
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The 23-year-old, who joined Chelsea from Leicester in a £70 million deal in 2022, has faced a challenging start to his time in West London.
After missing four months due to a serious knee injury in his debut season, he suffered another setback when he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament, sidelining him for the entire 2023/24 campaign.
Following this extended absence and the arrival of a new manager, Fofana was uncertain about his future with Chelsea.
With Marseille showing interest, he even engaged in private discussions with Medhi Benatia, Marseille’s sporting director, who reached out personally to express interest.
“I had a call that really touched me,” Fofana told Telefoot, noting, “It would be a lie to say I didn’t consider it. Everyone knows why… I had a thought, but the goal, at the moment, is to succeed at Chelsea.”
It was a conversation with Maresca that ultimately settled his decision. “We had a call from Mr. Benatia,” Fofana said, explaining how the proposal from Marseille resonated deeply with him.
However, after discussing his role at Chelsea with Maresca, Fofana found renewed confidence. “The coach told me he was counting on me this season.
So, I decided I was 100 percent with Chelsea,” he added, committing to the club’s vision as he looks forward to a fresh start on the pitch.
