The Ivorian striker was current within the stands on the Metropolis Floor as Graham Potter’s aspect opened 2023 with a irritating Premier League draw towards struggling opponents, seeing an early effort from Raheem Sterling deservedly cancelled out after the interval by former Tottenham full-back Serge Aurier.
The consequence left Chelsea sitting eighth within the Premier League and nonetheless seven factors adrift of the highest 4 with a troublesome league and FA Cup double-header to return subsequent towards Manchester Metropolis, stunting their inexperienced shoots of restoration after a 2-0 win over Bournemouth in midweek that had ended a dismal run of three straight defeats suffered earlier than the World Cup break.
The Blues stay removed from convincing away from Stamford Bridge this season, having received simply three of their 9 top-flight away matches in 2022/23 to this point – and none since mid-October.
Nonetheless, some optimism for Chelsea comes on the switch entrance, with Normal Sport understanding that the membership have now agreed a £33million cope with Monaco for centre-back Benoit Badiashile.
The France worldwide, 21, will endure a medical on Monday after agreeing a six-and-a-half yr contract with Chelsea till the summer time of 2029, having had simply 18 months left on his present settlement on the Stade Louis II.
However regardless of the January switch window being open for lower than a day, Badiashile is much from the one participant already to have agreed a transfer to Chelsea, who’re additionally pursuing the likes of Argentina’s World Cup-winning midfielder Enzo Fernandez of Benfica and proceed to be linked with wantaway Atletico Madrid frontman Joao Felix.
The Blues additionally swooped for Molde ahead Fofana in a deal believed to be price between £8m-£10m, with the 20-year-old formally becoming a member of on Sunday.
Chelsea have additionally struck an £11m cope with Brazilian membership Vasco da Gama for teenage midfielder Andrey Santos, with each he and Fofana seen as thrilling prospects for the longer term.
