Chelsea’s defence used to be a strength. They need Wesley Fofana to make it one again

09/01/2022

The most egregious mistake came when Edouard Mendy was robbed by Brenden Aaronson for Leeds’ first goal in their 3-0 win. But Jorginho lost the ball for Tottenham’s first equaliser in a 2-2 draw and Cesar Azpilicueta’s poor clearance led to Southampton’s leveller in their 2-1 victory. A loss of goals has been compounded by a loss of discipline: one summer signing, Kalidou Koulibaly, resorted to fouling Leeds’ speedy runners and got two cautions at Elland Road; another, Marc Cucurella, was guilty of the poor pass that led to Conor Gallagher’s red card against Leicester.

That Chelsea have lost to two of the division’s youngest teams, in Leeds and Southampton, brings concern about their vintage. Tuchel may cite mental weakness, but perhaps the problem lies in age, even if the oldest of all, Thiago Silva, has been immune to errors. But the experience that seemed an advantage when a 100-year-old back line of Koulibaly, Silva and Azpilicueta helped keep a clean sheet at Everton has since looked less of an asset; Tuchel has felt reluctant to pick his captain, whose new contract, the Spaniard said, came after a conversation with the owners. When Reece James has been fielded at centre-back, costing Chelsea his attacking excellence, it has been a vote of no confidence in the captain.

Jorginho has looked stretched and isolated when stripped of the reassuring presence of either N’Golo Kante or Mateo Kovacic alongside him and the midfield has felt disjointed since the Frenchman was injured. Koulibaly, another thirty-something, began in imperious form but was run ragged at Leeds in a manner to suggest he also wants protection. Tuchel’s favoured formation, a 3-4-3, provides it, but he has switched to 4-2-2-2 in their last two games in a bid for attacking incision. But that can expose elderly legs; in trying to solve one problem, he may compound another.

Fofana and Koulibaly could look a plausible partnership in a duo but Chelsea’s outstanding defender this season, Silva, is the most suited to a back three. The confusing part of Cucurella’s signing is that, impressive as he has often looked, the Spaniard seems a £62million upgrade on a player who did not really need upgrading, in Ben Chilwell. He set the tone for an expensive overhaul.

Fofana has become Todd Boehly’s latest big-money purchase this summer

Fofana’s arrival has taken spending on defenders this summer past £160million – get Josko Gvardiol next year and the sums could reach £230 or £240million – and, thus far, Chelsea’s defending has declined. A flawless collective have started to look flawed individuals. Mistakes have crept in as bodies have wearied, the blend of old and new has not been configured as precisely as Tuchel’s Champions League winners were. And whereas the team Fofana beat in the FA Cup final 15 months ago had arguably Europe’s best defence, the one he joins now has conceded more than Brentford and Everton. Chelsea need a man bought to add speed to settle quickly.

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