Wesley Fofana made what was only his third Premier League start of the season at the weekend in Chelsea’s victory over London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
The central defender helped his side to keep a clean sheet as Enzo Maresca’s men went on to win the game 1-0.
Joao Pedro and Moises Caicedo combined for Chelsea’s winner and had good games overall.
However, while he did show some signs of rust at times, Fofana can also be pleased with his own display in north London.
Wesley Fofana won all of his aerial duels in Chelsea’s win against Tottenham
Fofana was aerially dominant, bullying compatriot Randal Kolo Muani, who had a very quiet game.
According to Sofascore, the 24-year-old won all six of the aerial duels that he competed in on the afternoon. No player managed to win more.
Last season, it was claimed that Fofana is one of Maresca’s favourite players at Stamford Bridge. After watching him put in such a dominant performance, it is not hard to understand why.
Fofana is quite a physical and aggressive centre-half. The Frenchman is able to really impose himself on centre-forwards.
Chelsea have missed having a dominant central defender like that. Hopefully he can now stay fit, with his display away at Spurs showing what he can bring to the Club World Cup winners.
Wesley Fofana has the potential to save Chelsea millions
Because of Levi Colwill’s and Benoit Badiashile’s injuries, Chelsea may be tempted to sign a new central defender in the January transfer window if a good opportunity presents itself.
But if Fofana can stay fit, there will not be a need to fork out money on another centre-half.
The France international can be that dominant figure in central defence that Chelsea have been lacking. He proved it against Tottenham.
Fofana just needs to stay injury-free, though that is often easier said than done. But if he can, it solves a lot of issues for Maresca and Chelsea.