Chelsea paid £70million for me – but I thought about leaving already this summer

Wesley Fofana moved from Leicester City to Chelsea in 2022 in a deal worth £70 million - but injury has stopped him from becoming a mainstay in the side

Wesley Fofana admitted that he did consider leaving Chelsea this summer - but chose to stay to prove his salt in the Premier League.

The 23-year-old moved to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2022, in a transfer from Leicester City worth £70 million. Despite this big-money move, Fofana struggled to hold down a starting place in the backline due to a plethora of injuries - including an ACL tear.

The young centre-half has spent over a year in total out injured for the London side, pushing him back in the defensive pecking order.

This led to rumours of a transfer to Olympique Marseille during the summer transfer window - something that Fofana himself considered. The defender is a French international and was born in Marseille - so the connections to his place of birth played a part in how he made his decision.

Fofana was tempted by a move to his hometown club, and did admit that he was a Marseille supporter - but wanted to remain at Chelsea to prove his worth. He said: "I got a call that really touched me. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought about it. It was Mehdi Benatia from Olympique de Marseille, the sporting director.

"It certainly touched me. I think everyone knows why and... I had to think about it. But my objective at the moment is to succeed at Chelsea, to try and win games, and to establish myself at my club."

However, the 23-year-old didn't rule out a move to the French club in the future, claiming the club as his own and adding that he's never made his love for the team a "secret".

Fofana added: "And about Olympique de Marseille, we'll see one day. I still have a contract until 2029. We'll see after that. I've never made any secret of it. It's my city, it's my club, I'm an Olympique de Marseille supporter.

"If all goes to plan, I'll be at Olympique de Marseille in a few years' time. But I could also spend my whole career at Chelsea, we'll see."

So far, Fofana has played all four Premier League games for Chelsea, winning two, drawing one and losing the opening game against reigning champions Manchester City. He and the rest of the Blues squad will be looking to continue their good form this weekend as they take on West Ham at the London Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

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