Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana has stayed at the club after failing to secure a loan move on deadline day, claims Fabrizio Romano.
David Fofana Stays at Chelsea After Failed Loan Attempt
Understand David Datro Fofana will stay at Chelsea. NO loan move to OGC Nice or anywhere else. 🚨🔵🇨🇮 #CFC #DeadlineDay pic.twitter.com/oI6PTKgQXj
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 31, 2023
Fofana Not Joining OGC Nice or Any Club
It was reported that the Blues were attracting interest from Nice to loan Fofana for the rest of the season in a bid to help him get more regular game time. But as Romano reported, he will now stay at Stamford Bridge after the potential move fell through.
That could be because of the lack of time for Fofana to fulfil all requirements needed to complete a move on deadline day, as well as Chelsea primarily focusing on incoming rather than outgoings.
Read More: The story behind the collapse of Chelsea Star’s move to Paris Saint-Germain
Fofana was only signed by the London side during the January transfer window, being brought in as part of the club’s ambitious plans to create a potential super-team in the future.
Chelsea’s Crazy January Transfer Deadline Day Recapped
The Blues were arguably the winners of the January transfer window, having announced an amazing eight new signings in January. That included hijacking Arsenal’s deal to sign Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhailo Mudryk, loaning Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid and also signing AS Monaco defender Benoit Badiashile.
But the craziest moment was reserved for last, as Chelsea were able to finally agree to sign Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez for a club-record fee of £105 million. The Argentine midfielder was their final announced signing of the January window.
Read More: ‘Convinced They’ve Signed a Proper Gem’: Chelsea Excited by ‘Special’ Recruit
One of the rare deals they failed to execute was the short-term departure of Fofana, who will now stay at the club. The 20-year-old – who scored 24 goals and provided 10 assists in his career for Molde – has only made one appearance under Potter since arriving.
David Fofana Must Now Prove Himself
After failing to get a loan move on deadline day, Fofana has been reintegrated into Graham Potter’s squad. The Englishman does lack options in the number nine position, despite the club’s massive spending spree, making the 20-year-old path into the first team much simpler. The Ivorian made a substitute appearance against Fulham recently and was very impressive, having a goal-bound shot cleared off the line.
He may find it difficult to establish a starting position though after seeing his side splurge plenty of money on new signings in January. He could, however, aim to make a regular impact from the bench and force Potter to give him more minutes going during the second half of the season.
Read More: Omari Hutchinson Fails to Get Loan Move Out of Chelsea on Deadline Day
Considering that Kai Havertz and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have both struggled to maintain consistency this season, Fofana does have some space to break into the first team and make the centre-forward his own for the remainder of the campaign.
For that to happen, however, he must display a clinical goalscoring ability and make a difference in the little minutes he gets. Even getting the role of a super-sub can be beneficial for his development, helping him get more minutes at the top level and adapt to his new surroundings more smoothly.
If he is able to do that, which his recent performances suggest he can then his failed deadline day loan move may potentially be a blessing in disguise in regards to his Chelsea future.
