France reveal why Chelsea star Wesley Fofana pulled out of squad after talks with Didier Deschamps

Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana has pulled out of the France squad who will play Italy and Belgium in the UEFA Nations League later this month.

The 23-year-old has started all three of Enzo Maresca’s first Premier League games in charge of the Blues after recovering from a serious knee injury.

Fofana arrived at Stamford Bridge from Leicester for £70m in the summer of 2022 but has been limited to only 23 appearances for the club thus far.

The centre-back required surgery after rupturing his ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in July 2023, having missed 20 games during his first season due to knee issues.

After returning to full fitness, Fofana was called up to the France squad for their games later this month and looked set to add to the one cap he earned back in 2023.

However, the French Football Federation have confirmed the Chelsea star has pulled of the camp following talks with manager Didier Deschamps in a bid to use the international break to continue his rehabilitation after so many injury problems.

“Wesley Fofana was on the list of twenty-three players announced last Thursday by Didier Deschamps, for the two Nations League matches against Italy, on Friday September 6 at the Parc des Princes and on Monday 9, at Lyon-Décines, against Belgium,” read a statement.

“But after an exchange with the national coach, the central defender of FC Chelsea (English Premier League) will finally remain at his club's disposal and take advantage of the international break to follow a treatment protocol, linked to the injuries which kept him away from the field for a long time last season.”