David Datro Fofana's hype man
Early in the afternoon, with the hope of three points still filling the corners of Stamford Bridge was a very different time to 5pm on Saturday. Only pockets of fans had even entered the stadium as they gathered outside and a light mizzle fell.
The squad was soon arriving, albeit short of some key members, and popped off of the team coach to give supporters low fives on their way towards the changing rooms. Usually, Reece James would be the first figure to take to the central turf accompanied by Ben Chilwell.
However, when the former Leicester defender came out donning his cap and primed with a can of Red Bull, two players were already waiting for him. Denis Zakaria and David Datro Fofana were the first Chelsea players to emerge from the tunnel and in deep conversation.
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Swiss international Zakaria was the senior figure in the dynamic and leading the conversation. The midfielder, who has only recently returned from injury, gestured around the corners of the stadium as he seemed to forcefully put his message across to his 29-year-old teammate.
The exchange continue both as Chilwell joined the pair and after he left them and it appeared like Zakaria was pumping Fofana up to try and get him in the zone. Within another half hour, the former Molde striker had been announced as being part of the starting XI in the Premier League for the first time.
A new signing in attendance?
It appears that Chelsea were busy ahead of the game in securing another player for the future of the club. Jim Fraser, who has recently been confirmed as head of youth development and recruitment was present in a Chelsea box and playing host.
He was joined by 14-year-old Christopher Atherton, a player who has previously been on trial with the club, and pictured with the youngster holding a series of shirts with the player's name and the number 11 on. Atherton has signed for the Blues, as per Chelsea Youth and first rose to prominence when he made his debut for Glenavon's senior side despite still being 13.
The new addition made his debut in a 6-0 Irish League Cup win against Dollingstown and produced an assist as he became the youngest every player in the United Kingdom at 13 years and 329 days and broke Scottish forward, Jordan Allan's record.
Wesley Fofana's anger
While a rare positive to Saturday's game was Wesley Fofana's return to the pitch and his performance, it's safe to say the 22-year-old did not entirely enjoy his first minutes since leaving the field injured against AC Milan back in October. However, that discontent also brought with it some tension and drive to win.
Fofana was proactive in his play and that did not stop when the ball was not in play. As Romeo Lavia and Mohamem Elyounossi were replaced by Carlos Alcaraz and Ibrahima Diallo in the 87th minute, the young defender made it clear that he was not accepting the result.
No doubt there was a degree of frustration too as he decided to help cajole the very pedestrian duo off the pitch, Fofana pushed Lavia to increase his speed with the Blues hoping to preserve time to find an equaliser. It was a form of leadership that Chelsea required and had lacked, in that moment even if it was born of exasperation and resulted in the Saints midfielder laughing and continuing his slow pace via removing his shin pads.
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