Fofana sends Pochettino defiant message as Chelsea star eyes ambitious rebuild

Wesley Fofana has told Mauricio Pochettino exactly what he wants to hear ahead of his prospective appointment as Chelsea manager, claiming that he wants to ‘win everything’. The 22-year-old defender missed a large majority of the season after picking up a knee injury, and he’s determined to make up for lost time.

Fofana has featured 19 times for the Blues across all competition this term, playing a pivotal role in the club securing a place in the Champions League quarter-final. Despite the west Londoners’ misfortunes which followed his arrival from Leicester City in the summer, the Frenchman has impressed and proven exactly why he’s regarded as one of Europe’s top young centre-backs.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Fofana claimed that he’s determined to bounce back and get his hands on some silverware. He said: “It’s difficult for everybody because you see Chelsea in this position, and for sure everybody is not happy

“But it’s football. Some seasons, you are good. Some seasons, you are bad. Everybody is staying focused for next season now, to train more and push more to return to a high level.”

“For sure, it’s painful,” added Fofana when quizzed on the 42-point gap from league leaders Manchester City. “Chelsea is a big club in England and Europe. You see the points behind Man City, or Arsenal, and it’s difficult, because this club is the rival.”

Then, when asked why Chelsea have struggled this season, he replied: “New [owners] coming, new players coming, new coaches. In the Premier League, every team is strong and you don’t have time. You play in the Champions League as well, so it’s difficult.

“I don’t know exactly why it’s a bad season but, for sure, it’s the players, it’s the club, it’s everybody. It’s not just the coaches coming and going, it’s not just the [owner], it’s not just the new players. It’s everybody. We are the same team. When it’s bad, everybody is bad.”

In the summer, Fofana decided to sign a seven-year contract with Chelsea. The defender has been one of several youngsters to have sign a lengthy deal, with Mykhailo Mudryk tying himself down for eight-and-a-half years and Enzo Fernandez choosing to stay until 2032.

“I signed a long contract because I’m in the project,” said Fofana. “I want to perform with Chelsea, I want to win everything with Chelsea. When I signed, this was my intention.

“I signed for that because Chelsea, I know, is a big club. This side wins titles and trophies and I signed for that. For sure, I am here for a long time and I am very focused to win everything.”