ENZO MARESCA has given a worrying update on injured star Wesley Fofana.
The Blues defender has been out since picking up a hamstring issue against Aston Villa on December 1.
Fofana, who signed for Chelsea in 2022, was originally ruled out for around five weeks.
But scans have revealed more damage than first anticipated.
And during his pre-match press conference for Saturday’s visit to Crystal Palace, Maresca revealed it was not a good prognosis.
The Blues boss said: “Unfortunately, there’s a risk Wesley Fofana could be out for the entire season.
“The initial feeling was [he would be out] 5 weeks but then more tests gave us bad news.
“We don’t know exactly yet, but it’s a huge loss.”
Fofana, a £70million signing from Leicester, had started 12 of Chelsea’s 13 Premier League games up until a tangle with Ollie Watkins in the Villa game.
The Frenchman does not currently require surgery on the issue.
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And Maresca confirmed it wasn’t linked to the anterior cruciate ligament injury that kept Fofana sidelined throughout last season.
He continued: “I don’t think this kind of injury can be compared to the rest.
“This one is muscle and previously he hasn’t had any muscle problems, so it’s completely different.
“It’s a bit unlucky but he will be back and he will be good in the way he was before he was injured.”
Chelsea head to Palace on Saturday looking to bounce back from a shock defeat to Ipswich on Monday.
The Blues are currently fourth in the Premier League table, two points behind Nottingham Forest.
CHELSEA made it back-to-back losses as they slumped to an awful 2-0 defeat at Ipswich.
Enzo Maresca’s side went into the match hoping to bounce back from their 2-1 home loss to Fulham on Boxing Day.
But instead saw their title hopes take another massive dent after goals from Liam Delap and old-boy Omari Hutchinson.
On a night to forget for the Blues, SunSport’s Jordan Davies rates and slates each performer...
FILIP JORGENSEN – 6
His first bit of action was a clumsy trailing leg to catch Delap and give away a needless penalty.
Followed it up with a few decent stops to deny the forward anything else, but the damage was already done.
AXEL DISASI – 4
Offered very little until a fine pass early in the second half to put Madueke through.
But that was then overshadowed by a woeful piece of defending to give the hosts a second goal, first with a stray pass to Delap and then giving Hutchinson the freedom of Ipswich to slot home.
TOSIN ADARABIOYO – 5
Struggled to deal with Delap, physically and for pace. Looked terrified to press him. Lumbered about for most of the game.
LEVI COLWILL – 6
Looks so much better with a proper defensive partner, unlike here.
Not his best game, but not his worst.
MARC CUCURELLA – 5
Nervy clearance off Hutchinson almost gave Delap a second inside 15 minutes and caught out of position plenty when Ipswich countered.
Poor in attacking areas.
ENZO FERNANDEZ – 6
A real mixed bag.
Picked up some good pockets of space but out-muscled on occasion.
MOISES CAICEDO – 6
Blazed over a glorious chance from the edge of the box off his left peg.
Controlled the game well from deep at times.
NONI MADUEKE – 7
Involved in everything good with Chelsea, taking on defenders and unlucky not to grab a first half goal.
Linked up well with Palmer and Enzo.
COLE PALMER – 8
A joy to watch. His cleverly-disguised free-kick smacked the post and his cross for Joao Felix at the far post to score from was delightful, only to be called back for offside.
He was then denied a curling beauty by a worldie save. Did not deserve to be on the losing side. Best player on the pitch by a mile.
JOAO FELIX – 6
Perhaps a harsh one but should have stayed onside before tapping in Palmer’s brilliant cross to level the scores.
Had a header cleared off the line just after the break.
CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU – 5
An anonymous first half was followed up by more anonymity in the second before being hauled off just after the hour mark.
Feels like he has wasted a huge chance given to him by Maresca to prove he can be the difference maker.
SUBS
NICOLAS JACKSON (for Felix, 55) – 6
Missed a blatant one v one, spared blushes by a delayed offside flag.
JADON SANCHO – (for Nkunku, 65) – 6
Did very little, but the game was pretty much done by the time he came on.
MALO GUSTO (for Disasi, 77) – 6
Came on just so Disasi could make way, it seems. Made his presence known by getting into a late scrap with Davis.
PEDRO NETO (for Madueke, 77) – 5
Brought some zip, but let himself down by going down soft holding his face from a Kalvin Phillips ‘challenge’.
