Wesley Fofana faced criticism for his role in Dinamo Zagreb’s first goal against Chelsea following concerns for the club’s summer business.
Dinamo took a 1-0 lead against the Blues in the sides’ first Champions League group stage game of the season on Tuesday. Croatia international Mislav Orsic got the goal on a swift move upfield.
The striker raced away and finished coolly one-on-one with Kepa Arrizabalaga after winning a foot race with summer centre-back signing Fofana.
Before the match, the focus was on Chelsea’s goalkeeping situation. After errors for Edouard Mendy, Spaniard Kepa got his chance.
However, it was £70million signing Fofana who caught the wrath of BT Sport co-commentator Martin Keown for his role in the goal.
Keown said: ” I really thought Fofana, with the pace he has, should’ve caught him. I think [Chelsea boss Thomas] Tuchel’s looking at it wondering, ‘How on Earth has he scored from there?”
“It just breaks down, they give the ball away cheaply then he’s on his bike early.
“Even here, I think Fofana can get back here, but credit the young man, he just gets enough on it.”
Before the match, Peter Crouch voiced concerns about the motivations for Chelsea’s record-breaking spend.
Under the stewardship of new majority owner Todd Boehly and his consortium, the Blues spent a record amount for a Premier League club in a summer transfer window.
Chelsea concerns over Wesley Fofana, summer spending
Crouch said: “My only worry is, do you think they plan those players at the start of the season or have they just come available?
“They have a lot of money as new owners and they want to make a statement to the fans that they’re spending money?
“And how many of those are Tuchel’s players and how much are the owners trying to prove they’re good owners?”
Joe Cole said the situation is “a bit of everything”, claiming “the price goes up” among selling clubs when new owners at buying clubs are involved.
However, Cole insisted that new owners “generally want what’s best for the clubs”, as Chelsea look to win more silverware.
Chelsea facing familiar woes
Chelsea have not enjoyed the best start to the season under Tuchel and need to address key areas.
Keown added in co-commentary that the Stamford Bridge club still have a “soft belly” which is easily exposed.
Indeed, Tuchel expressed those exact concerns last week after Chelsea lost 2-1 to Southampton in Premier League action.
Chelsea suffered a run of form like this last season. Despite a strong start, some bad results caused inconsistency to set in.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s goals may soon help, but right now there are issues to solve.
