Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has criticized new Chelsea signing Wesley Fofana for his lack of proper defensive nous in his team's 1-0 defeat against Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday (September 6).
Fofana joined the Blues from Leicester City for a fee in the region of £75 million last month. The 21-year-old centre-back has now come under fire for his part in Mislav Orsic's decisive goal during his UEFA Champions League debut at the Stadio Maksimir.
Despite dominating the early stages of the contest, the west London outfit were rocked by Orsic's opener in the 13th minute. The Croatian winger headed the ball past Fofana on the counter, ultimately finishing past an on-rushing Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Speaking on BT Sport (via Metro), Ferdinand lambasted Fofana for failing to stop Orsic. He said:
"Fofana can see his partner is going for the ball, what he has to be aware of is the run. Once he sees that, he has to then identify: 'Where is the space? Where do I now cover?' And watch his reaction: it’s so late. He's got to foul him, bump him, whatever, you're last man."
He continued:
"Or, what I would do – and I would back myself like I assume he would – I would have dropped off ages ago. I would have seen that run and there's no way that I'd allow him to get in behind me. He just doesn’t smell danger."
He added:
"But listen, it's his first game at this level in the Champions League so you can't really go too hard on him. But it's something that will open his eyes and make him realise he's nowhere near the finished article yet."
Chelsea are currently bottom of Group E in the UEFA Champions League after AC Milan were held 1-1 at RB Salzburg in the other group fixture.
The Blues will next lock horns with London rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage in a Premier League contest on Saturday (September 10).
Frank Leboeuf hits out at Chelsea's Mason Mount after 'appalling performance'
Speaking to ESPN, former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf slammed Blues midfielder Mason Mount for his disappointing performance in Tuesday's defeat against Dinamo Zagreb. He said:
"I want to talk about Mason because we never talk about him because he's the little boy from Chelsea. But he disappeared! I'm sorry, Mason disappeared. I want to know where he is."
He added:
"He's fantastic, a great player but his involvement in the game was not enough. That was an appalling performance against a very average team."
Mount is yet to register a single goal contribution in seven matches across all competitions for his boyhood club.
kudaekpsuy
0
don't blame him they paid a huge for him.
Sahla_HDP
2
Mason Mount needs to find his laces to put on his boots. Not everyone rate him, but Alongside Thiago Silva, N'Golo Kanté & Reece James, he is one of the best and consistent performers. He has to find his way, he is very important to us!
Gwinghltd
0
as if he could do any better. this football pensioners talk a lot.
veecmpsuz
0
Boooo af
ricksanchez77
0
Seriously AF give me a job writing articles and I won't make these stupid mistakes
Piuzy111
2
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Maguire ProMax
Johnmechediez2018
1
Make this Ferdinand a manager and see him mess up like Henry at Monaco nonsense.
Manuelm200
0
Stop blaming TB but rather do blame TT coz he identify who he need and what?
Don't blame Tuchel cos he isn't the one who paid the money for fofana.Tuchel wanted other players but Todd was too slow.Look at Raphinha for example.He took to long and the players Tuchel wanted were stolen away from him.Fofana was an alternative to Kounde.
Haubciprz
0
2-1 loss?? I thought it was 1-0 lol this article is trash
YomiGold
1
English Pundits and their style of picking on Non English Players.
ClemJay
2
And they paid very high for him. Chelsea and United have something in common
Wanbcelsu
1
I kind of blame Todd Boehly for spending £75m on Fofana, who's still developing as a player. He just didn't know how much to spend for a player.
Stop blaming TB but rather do blame TT coz he identify who he need and what?
flourishdee
1
Tuchel is not to be blamed here... Maybe the players aren't enjoying Tuchels Tactics.
Mitchello2
1
Heart broken as a CFC fan. Our club has been in limbo for over a year now
huwadpruy
0
Fofana is a small boy with no much experience, that kind of money is wastage, Fofana and koulibaly will be flog because their error is much in defending.
shardul7798
2
I kind of blame Todd Boehly for spending £75m on Fofana, who's still developing as a player. He just didn't know how much to spend for a player.