Chelsea Pins Hopes On David Datro Fofana As Injury Bug Hounds Key Players

Chelsea were held by Red Bull Salzburg in new head coach Graham Potter's first game in charge — Graham Potter gets a new striker as the injury bug continues to hamper the Blues this season. AFP

KEY POINTS

Chelsea has enlisted the serveices David Datro Fofana
The Blues have heaved a sigh of relief with the Fofana signing
The Blues are also eyeing Enzo Fernandez

Chelsea can now heave a sigh of relief following reports that they have acquired the services of David Datro Fofana from Molde FK.

"Chelsea has reached a pre-agreement with Molde FK for the transfer of David Datro Fofana. The 20-year-old striker will join the Blues on January 1, 2023. We look forward to welcoming David to the club," an official statement from the club read.

This year, Fofana scored 15 times in 24 Eliteserien matches for the Norwegian side in 2022 as Molde claimed the title.

MFK was also fully aware of Fofana's desire to go to Chelsea and follow in the footsteps of legend Didier Drogba.

"Fofana has previously revealed that he wanted to follow in the footsteps of Chelsea legend Didier Drogba and that the Premier League was his big dream. Now, the dream is coming true for the youngster," part of MFK's statement read.

The development was a bit of a reprieve for Chelsea, which will miss another player in Reece James.

James was assessed on Wednesday, December 28, and scan results showed a setback to the knee injury that hehas been struggling with since October during a UEFA Champions League match against Inter Milan.

This means that the Blues will have a new young and fresh attacking option, addressing the void left by Armando Broja.

The 21-year-old English forward will miss the rest of the season after rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament.

Broja sustained the injury after colliding with Ezri Konsa in the first half of a 1-0 friendly defeat by Aston Villa in Abu Dhabi earlier this month.

Broja gave a good account of himself while on loan to Southampton last season.

Moving forward, the Blues may not yet be done making moves.

Enzo Fernandez is reportedly another target of Chelsea, but recruiting the highly-touted midfielder will not be easy.

Benfica will not sell the Argentine player for anything lower than his £105 million ($126 million) release clause.

Fernandez signed with As Águias last summer and is under contract with the team until 2027.