Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has revealed that Wesley Fofana faces a race against time to play again this season.
Having missed the entirety of 2023-24 due to a serious knee injury, the defender's game time has been carefully managed since Enzo Maresca's arrival.
From the middle of August through to the start of December, Fofana endured minimal issues as he made 12 starts in the Premier League.
However, the France international sustained a hamstring injury against Aston Villa on December 1 and has not featured since, the initial diagnosis being a month to six weeks on the sidelines.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Maresca conceded that the 24-year-old had suffered yet another serious injury that may see him sit out the remainder of the campaign.
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"It was worse than we thought"
Maresca was quizzed several times by the media, first indicating that Fofana would be "out for a very long time".
When pushed on the topic later in the press conference, Maresca revealed that there were fears that Fofana would not be seen in a Chelsea shirt for the next five months.
The Italian said: "Unfortunately he could be out for the season. We don't know exactly but he could be out for part of the season.
"Every time you ask me about Wes, I said many times I am in love with Wes. I'm in love with Wes also because he is that kind of defender that gives you a chance to press and be aggressive in one on one on the pitch."
He added: "It was the first update and the first information we had but having a test, we realised it was worst than what we thought at the beginning.
"It is hamstring and unfortunately, we are going to lose him for a while."
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How will Chelsea react?
With Benoit Badiashile also absent until at least February, Maresca is left with Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo and Axel Disasi as his remaining three central defenders.
Renato Veiga can also be deployed in the middle when required, while Reece James would become an option if Chelsea were to move to a back three.
Maresca has suggested that Aaron Anselmino - who has been recalled from his loan at Boca Juniors - will not be considered for selection in the short term.
As a result, Maresca and the club's recruitment are left to determine whether they enter the transfer market for a new centre-back before the end of the month.
Darren Plant
