Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca ‘has special agreement to play star he has fallen in love with just once a week’ until the New Year

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca reportedly has a special agreement to play a star once a week until January.

The Blues are currently facing a packed schedule as in addition to their Premier League fixtures they also have games in the Europa Conference League and the Carabao Cup.

With Chelsea having a large number of players to choose from, Maresca can afford to give the player in question a rest when necessary.

Maresca is eager to manage the individual carefully given his injury history, but is a huge fan of the player after reportedly falling in love with his qualities as soon as he arrived at Stamford Bridge.

According to L’Equipe, Maresca has agreed to follow Chelsea’s policy of only playing Wesley Fofana once a week until January.

Chelsea are eager to ensure Wesley Fofana isn’t overplayed given his injury history

Fofana didn’t play at all last term after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in pre-season.

He also missed a significant part of the 2022-23 season due to a knee problem.

So far this season Fofana has started all seven of Chelsea’s Premier League games, with the clash against West Ham the only game in which he didn’t play 90 minutes.

However, Fofana has yet to feature in the Europa Conference League or the Carabao Cup so far this season.

Fofana has started all seven of Chelsea’s Premier League games so far this season

Fofana is suspended for the game away to Liverpool on October 20 after accumulating five yellow cards in the Premier League this season.

Chelsea are currently in fourth place in the Premier League, four points behind leaders Liverpool. 

Chelsea’s next game after that fixture is away to Panathinaikos in the Europa Conference League. 

Fofana is currently with the France squad and was an unused substitute in the 4-1 win away over Israel.