BREAKING: Former Chelsea star makes huge Wesley Fofana claim after £75 million signing from Leicester City
Chelsea have been told by former player Pat Nevin that their £75 million signing of Wesley Fofana from Leicester City is cheap.
It was a hectic Summer of transfers for the Blues this window with players departing and new faces arriving at Stamford Bridge.
A total of nine new signings were made by the west London side as the new ownership led by Todd Boehly looked to make a statement.
The early losses of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen on free transfers to Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively meant the primary focus of the window became improving the defence.
Having signed Raheem Sterling to bolster the forward line, Chelsea then acquired both Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella.
Marc Cucurella in Premier League action against West Ham. (Alamy)
Despite picking up these two fantastic options, there were still gaps to be filled. In the beginning phase of the window Matthijs de Ligt and Nathan Ake were strongly tied with potential transfers but those moves fell through.
On the penultimate day though Chelsea made their most expensive signing of the summer. French centre-back Fofana completed a £75 million move from Brendan Rodgers’ side.
At just 21-years-old he arrives with experience of playing at a high level and an incredible amount of potential.
Chelsea confirmed a seven-year-contract with Fofana which will see him play out the prime years of his career at Stamford Bridge.
Wesley Fofana in Premier League action against West Ham. (Alamy)
While the price tag the Blues paid for him has been questioned, winger and former Chelsea player Nevin believes it is justified.
Speaking to Grosvenor Sport, he said: “If you sign Wesley Fofana for £75 million and keep him for the next 10 years – that works out as £10 million per year, which is actually really cheap.”
He continued: “If Chelsea really needed Fofana – which they did – then the fee they paid is absolutely the right number and if they hadn’t signed him this season I don’t think they would’ve finished in the top four.
“They wouldn’t have had the quality.”
While it is a big fee, the move was needed for Chelsea. Without the signing of Fofana, the defensive depth the Blues would have would be little to none.
Reportedly the west London side are still interest in bringing in another defender in January as well. Josko Gvardiol was close to a move over the Summer, but it fell through and now Chelsea are planning to renew their interest in the Croatian.
Should Chelsea pick up the 20-year-old the long-term future of the club would be in very safe hands defensively.
