In joining Chelsea from Molde in a deal worth £10million last month David Datro Fofana completed a childhood dream. He grew up supporting the Blues and idolised Didier Drogba. “He played at Chelsea so they have always been my club," explained the Ivorian in an interview with Norwegian outlet TV2.
Yet Fofana wasn't expected to remain at Stamford Bridge for too long. There was interest in the 20-year-old from clubs in France and Turkey and the expectation was the 20-year-old would be loaned out to continue his development. First-team involvement was not anticipated.
Chelsea's ever-increasing injury list changed that plan. Fofana was soon integrated into the first-team squad and made his debut as a half-time substitute in the FA Cup defeat to Manchester City. He was also named on the bench for the Premier League matches against Fulham, Crystal Palace and Liverpool.
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The transfer window closed soon after and Fofana remained a Chelsea player. So it was no surprise to see him involved in the matchday squad against Fulham on Friday once again. And with the game goalless with 15 minutes to play, Graham Potter turned to the striker.
Fofana was tasked with leading the line for Chelsea; Kai Havertz dropped back into the No.10 position vacated by Mason Mount. The Ivory Coast international's overall game remains raw but he caused concern among the visitors' backline. No more so than when he raced onto a pass forward from Conor Gallagher in the dying stages.
The Chelsea striker was able to beat goalkeeper Bernd Leno to the ball and showed excellent composure to round Issa Diop. His shot was headed for the near post but Tim Ream was able to scramble the ball away. It was the closest the Blues came to making a breakthrough in the second period.
Fofana's cameo was bright. Per FBRef, he attempted three take-ons in his limited time on the pitch and completed two of them, the joint-most of any Chelsea player on the night. That both led to shooting opportunities highlighted the unpredictable threat Fofana can pose.
Chelsea need such inventiveness at this moment, especially in the frontline. The Blues have scored just three goals in their previous seven matches in all competitions and have struggled to finish the few clear opportunities created. Fofana may not be the finished article but he did score 24 goals in two years at Molde and is more of a traditional number nine.
His chance may not come against West Ham United. Nor Borussia Dortmund. But Potter can't keep selecting underperforming stars And while Fofana may not prove the long-term answer to Chelsea's goalscoring problems, he is deserving of an opportunity in the games ahead.
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