Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana has admitted that every player at the club should bear the responsibility of scoring goals and not just the forwards.
Fofana was Chelsea’s hero against Leeds | MB Media/GettyImages© Provided by 90min
Fofana grabbed the winner in the Blues’ 1-0 victory at home to Leeds United on Saturday, easing the mounting pressure on head coach Graham Potter.
A stat revealing that Chelsea had scored just five goals in all competitions since the start of November – the lowest tally among all 92 Premier League and Football League clubs in that time – went viral earlier this week, while they went into Saturday’s match having won one of their 11 games in 2023.
Both Potter and club co-owner Todd Boehly spoke of their relief at getting a good result on the board post-match.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Fofana insisted that the whole squad should be working to solve their scoring crisis.
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“Not nerves but excitement for the win, the fans and the club. It is a difficult situation but everyone in the club pushes for a win,” Fofana began.
“Yesterday in training we worked on set-pieces and today I scored one. It’s a good feeling.
“It’s not a problem [being the goalscorer]. Every player is an attacker or a defender. Today it is me but in other games, every player can score.”
Todd Boehly’s three-word reaction to Chelsea beating Leeds United
Todd Boehly offered a straightforward reply when asked for his thoughts on Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat of Leeds United on Saturday.
Todd Boehly reacted to his side’s defeat of Leeds United© Clive Rose/Getty Images
Wesley Fofana’s first-half goal was enough to secure the Blues a first win in six games, a result that eases the pressure on Graham Potter ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund. Chelsea had not won since beating Crystal Palace 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on January 15 and had tasted defeat at the hands of Dortmund, Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur since.
Boehly, a co-owner of the Blues, was at his side’s home to watch a crucial win for Potter’s men and was asked for his verdict on the game afterwards. As reporters gathered pitchside, Boehly walked past them and in response to a question, he smiled and quipped ‘it’s a result’.
There has been a lot of speculation around Potter and Boehly’s thoughts on the former Brighton & Hove Albion boss’ situation because of Chelsea’s poor run of form. Even after beating Leeds the Blues remain in tenth place and 11 points from Tottenham Hotspur in fourth place, though they do have a game-in-hand on Antonio Conte’s side.
“The boys are giving everything,” Potter said. “We’re playing against one of the best teams in the league in terms of intensity. If the game starts to become Hawaii football, up and down, it can be a challenge for us.
“But they stuck at it, the crowd was great, they want us to do well. “They want us to win with more comfort, and we all want that, but the moment we’re in, it’s not so easy to do.
“It’s a nice three points, an important three points – it’s good for confidence, good for morale. “The boys are suffering because they care, they do. Our supporters have been suffering as well.
“It’s been a tough period for us. The win gives us a chance to recover, and to prepare for a massive game on Tuesday night.”
