Enzo Maresca has named the one thing he loves most about Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana.
The Frenchman, who joined Chelsea from Leicester City in the summer of 2022 for a fee of around £75 million, has been a key player for the Blues this term, starting all but one of their nine Premier League games.
Life hasn't always been so easy for him in West London, however.
Fofana missed most of his first season at Chelsea with a serious knee injury, and then missed the entirety of last season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
In Chelsea's 2-1 victory over Newcastle United on Sunday, Fofana pulled up early grabbing his knee, leaving Maresca, and Blues fans, fearing the worst. The 23-year-old, however, battled on to see out the rest of the game, putting in a stellar display in a crucial victory.
Speaking with the media on Wednesday, Maresca spoke of his admiration for Fofona's fighting spirit.
"He had a bad moment in the first half, very bad, but he is a fighter and was probably playing with pain," the Italian coach said, adding: "I really love Wes because it’s not easy after more than one year out to come back and be a fighter like he is."
Noni Madueke on Fofana: "Wes is the aggressor"
Maresca isn't the only one who is a big admirer of Fofana.
Noni Madueke is also a big fan of the France international, who began his career in his home country with Ligue 1 side Saint-Etienne.
Speaking in a YouTube video posted to Chelsea's official channel earlier this month, Madueke heaped praise on Fofana, as well his fellow central defender Levi Colwill.
"They really complement each other," the former PSV Eindhoven man said of the pair.
"Wes carries the ball and Levi passes it," he added. "Wes is front and Levi is a sweeper, but if there are games when if we all need to be on the front foot then Levi can do that. He’s the control and Wes is the aggressor."
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