Wesley Fofana: Why Harry Maguire is the perfect replacement for the injured Chelsea defender

Wesley Fofana is reported set to miss the entire next season and Harry Maguire could be the solution for Chelsea.

Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana has suffered another injury setback, tearing his anterior cruciate ligament.

The 22-year-old did not travel to America for the club's pre-season tour due to specialist medical assessments, which unfortunately confirmed that an operation would be required according to a statement released by Chelsea.

The unexpected injury right at the start of pre-season leaves Chelsea thin in the central defensive position with Levi Colwill, Thiago Silva, Trevoh Chalobah and the injured Benoit Badiashile as the only available senior centre-backs.

This means that Chelsea would have to reinforce the defence in the transfer window as Fofana will miss a significant chunk, if not all of the 2023/24 season, but who is available to sign at such short notice?

Step up Harry Maguire, the out-of-favour, former Manchester United captain could be the ideal defensive signing for Chelsea and here is why.

Why Chelsea should sign Harry Maguire as a replacement for  Wesley Fofana

Harry Maguire’s availability

The first reason for Chelsea to be interested in signing Maguire this summer is the Englishman’s availability in the transfer window.

With just under a month to go before Premier League football returns, it is in Chelsea’s best interest to secure a signing as soon as possible so as to integrate into the team in pre-season under the new manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Long story short, Chelsea do not have time for another drawn-out negotiation process similar to Moises Caicedo whom they have been trying to sign for over a year now.

They will have no such problems with Maguire who is out of favour at Manchester United and was recently stripped of his captaincy.

The 30-year-old centre-back would be available for a giveaway price if Chelsea are interested in signing him.

Harry Maguire represents minimal risk

For the same reasons that guarantee his availability, Maguire’s signing is the safest possible option for Chelsea in the market right now.

A 30-year-old who has played his entire career in England does not need any time to settle in, so there is no risk of flopping here.

And if it does not work out, it will be for the same reasons he has struggled for the last two seasons at Manchester United at which point Chelsea would not have a lot to lose as he was not a big-money signing.

With Maguire, all Chelsea have to ask is “What is the worst that could happen?” and to be honest not a lot.

At best, Chelsea would have gotten a defensive leader to replace Thiago Silva and at worst, Maguire turns out to be a backup to the Brazilian.

Harry Maguire is a tactical fit

Maguire’s profile of calmness compliments Chelsea’s young defence quite well and he could be a key figure on and off the pitch for what is a pretty youthful squad.

Tactically it works as well, Maguire is right-footed and would most likely start on the right of two central defenders, partnered by either Levi Colwill or Benoit Badiashile, two left-sided centre-backs.

This means Maguire will mostly be a Thiago Silva alternative rather than the pair playing together too often as they both lack pace.

Maguire still ranked high among centre-backs in Europe for key stats such as aerial prowess, blocks and passes attempted despite the 2022/23 season being one of the worst in his professional career.

His performances for England would also go a long way to show that he still has the level required to perform consistently for a top team like Chelsea.

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