Wesley Fofana completed a 10 hour medical in New York before becoming a Chelsea player this summer.
The 21-year-old completed his move from Leicester City after being demoted to the Under-23 squad for the last two matchdays, requesting to not play for the Foxes.
Thomas Tuchel was keen to sign Fofana, who had been a long-term target for the Blues this summer but it took until towards the end of the transfer window for a deal to be concluded.
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Despite Tuchel’s desire to conclude a deal quickly, the transfer was delayed as Fofana travelled to America to undergo his medical.
Chelsea were keen to send him to the US as an additionap iece of mind following his leg break back in 2021, to have him viewed by doctors before finalising his move.
His move to Stamford Bridge was then finalised as Chelsea landed their man ahead of the closure of the transfer window.
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The details inside his move have now been revealed.
Speaking to French outlet L’Equipe, Fofana discussed the fee paid for him, which remains under the world record transfer amount paid from Manchester United for Harry Maguire.
Fofana admitted: “It is a recognition of my work, but I’m trying not to think of the fee because that can quickly put me under a lot of pressure.
“It’s important that I keep the enjoyment of playing football. For sure, I’m signing for a big club. It’s a club known all over the world, which has winning trophies every year as part of its DNA.
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“But I’m very far from getting there. Only my performances on the pitch matter.”
Fofana spent up to 10 hours in New York to complete these tests before returning to London for his unveiling as a Blue.
Asking for a move away from Leicester may have raised a few eyebrows in the footballing world, with the 21-year-old previously doing the same at St Etienne to move to the Premier League.
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Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s clash against West Ham United on the weekend, Tuchel was asked if this would be a problem in the future.
He replied: “I don’t know enough to judge all the facts. I don’t know about. I don’t have enough information about the situation.
“Sometimes players have promises, sometimes handshakes, sometimes misunderstandings that lead to these situations. Of course the clubs where it happens never like it, we would not like it.”
The head coach continued to admit that he will not jude Fofana based on this.
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“We are not judging from that because we don’t have the whole picture,” he admitted before revealing Fofana’s personality.
“Wesley to me was very reliable in what he said, was never disrespectful towards Leicester in his words and behaviour towards me and how he acted when we were talking or messaging. He was always very respectful of the situation.
“He saw a chance for himself and he saw opportunities to convince Leicester and make a point to come to us, to see the benefit for his own person and convince the officials at Leicester. In the very end happened like this. Towards me was very respectful and open person.”
The 21-year-old could be in line to make his Chelsea debut when the Blues face West Ham on the weekend at Stamford Bridge.
Topics: Chelsea, Wesley Fofana, Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Transfers, Football, Leicester City
Nick Emms