David Datro Fofana looks set to move out on loan from Chelsea once again as the striker hunts for some consistent minutes.
Temporary Move Away Likely for David Datro Fofana
Leicester City Interested Amongst Others
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Datro Fofana is unlikely to represent Chelsea in 2024/25, with the 21-year-old Ivorian expected to be loaned out, with any deal for the youngster highly likely to include an obligation-to-buy clause.
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Newly-promoted Leicester City – now managed by former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper following Enzo Maresca’s switch to SW6 – are said to be the team at the front of the queue for Fofana’s signature. Patson Daka and 37-year-old Jamie Vardy are the Foxes’ only striker options at current, while Stuttgart and Villarreal are the other sides keeping tabs on the player.
Fofana’s Career So Far
Before joining Chelsea, Fofana was “prolific” at Norwegian side Molde where he scored 24 times in 65 appearances, 22 of those strikes coming in his final season with the club.
In December 2022, the Blues snapped the youngster up as many considered him to be the one to lead the line for the club, with the forward drawing comparisons to Didier Drogba.
After just three appearances for Chelsea in 2022/23, Bundesliga side Union Berlin brought Fofana in on loan for the 2023/24 campaign. However, after scoring just twice in 17 appearances, the Blues recalled him in January 2024 as struggling Burnley took him on for the final few months of the season. As a Claret he scored four goals, all of them coming in the league, but this wasn’t enough to keep Vincent Kompany’s side in the division as the club went straight back down to the Championship, with Fofana returning to Chelsea at the season’s culmination.
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It now seems very likely that all the hype surrounding Fofana when he signed for Chelsea counts for nothing, with Maresca not expected to hand the youngster a chance at leading his front line after he was not selected for the Blues’ pre-season tour of America. Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu are all ahead of the Ivorian in the Chelsea pecking order, while the rumours of a brand new number nine for the club continue to circle. Perhaps a move away for the “flop” could be the best outcome for all parties. If his impressive form at Molde is anything to go by, whoever snaps him up could have themselves a very talented player for the future.
