Wesley Fofana is in line for his Chelsea debut against West Ham United while the Blues eye up a work permit for Denis Zakaria, Thomas Tuchel has confirmed.
Chelsea completed a late loan move for Zakaria from Juventus on deadline day, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang also signed for the Blues before the transfer window slammed shut.
Fofana had joined earlier in the week after completing his medical in New York earlier this week.
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Tuchel added much needed reinforcements to his squad as he looks to compete at the top of the Premier League.
With two losses already in the league, Tuchel will be worried with the Blues’ early season form after defeats to Southampton and Leeds United.
Chelsea face West Ham United on Saturday afternoon, looking to win three points to add to their seven in five matches already this season.
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Speaking ahead of the clash, Tuchel revealed that new signing Zakaria is unlikely to feature as the Blues look to secure his work permit, while Fofana is ready for selection.
“My latest information is that we need to work on the work permit,” he said regarding Zakaria’s availability.
“He will not be in the squad for Saturday. That is too close. We hope for Tuesday and then for Fulham.”
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The German continued to discuss Fofana, heaping praise on the 21-year-old, who could be set to start against West Ham.
Arriving earlier in the week, Fofana has been training with the Chelsea squad and could be handed a start against West Ham, already making two appearances for Leicester City already this season.
Marc Cucurella was thrown into Chelsea action from the bench just 24 hours after signing earlier in the window, a hint that Tuchel could do the same with Fofana, who has been at the club longer than the 24 hour period before Cucurella’s debut.
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Continuing to discuss Fofana, Tuchel admitted his excitement.
He said: “Very because he is the kind of profile that we identify very early as a replacement for Toni and Andreas.
“We are very happy that we stayed patient, super happy that Todd and Behdad were relentless on it and never gave up and we managed to fulfil this transfer. Wesley is young, fast, very strong in set pieces, defending and attacking.
“He was one of the very early targets to replace our guys that left the club.”
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It remains to be seen as to when the pair will make their debut, with Aubameyang also set for a spell on the sidelines due to a jaw injury.
Topics: Chelsea, Wesley Fofana, Transfers, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Football, Thomas Tuchel
Nick Emms