Mauricio Pochettino hopes Wesley Fofana won’t miss the whole season after huge ACL injury blow- as he calls on inexperienced squad to prove themselves on US tour

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is hoping Wesley Fofana will be back before the end of the season after his massive ACL injury.

The new Blues boss spoke just hours after the $70 million defenseman underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

“I hope he is ready to play this season,” Pochettino said at his press conference on Tuesday ahead of the club’s first exhibition game on their US tour.

“We know very well that it is difficult. Different bodies, different physiological people. He evolves in a different way.

“We hope that everything goes well with his recovery and that he can be ready.”

The boss hopes Wesley Fofana returns from his ACL injury during the 2023-2024 season

Chelsea confirmed in a statement on Tuesday that Fofana has had surgery. No timetable for his likely return was given.

Fofana only joined from Leicester last summer and was hampered by a major knee problem in his first season.

In what has been a difficult season for the whole team, the 22-year-old endured a frustrating campaign, making just 15 appearances in the Premier League.

“It is very sad, very bad news. We all feel so sad,” Pochettino added at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

All we can do is help him and be back with the team. We know it’s hard. We have to help him, wish him well and be back with the team.

“It’s tough, but we have to keep going. The competition waits for no one and we must be ready to compete.’

Fofana was not the only left back in England, as Romelu Lukaku, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi were not part of the tour group.

The future of the quartet is all uncertain after falling down the pecking order following Pochettino’s arrival this summer.

Chelsea announced their 29-man squad for their pre-season tour of the US on Monday

Though the Argentine isn’t shedding too much light on whether they’re about to leave.

‘They all agree with these kinds of decisions. Player and club are working hard to find the best solution.’

As Pochettino continues his massive squad overhaul after the club’s dismal season, an inexperienced and worn-out squad has flown to the States.

Thirteen players have left while new faces are being brought in, including Brighton’s Moises Caicedo.

Hakim Ziyech (left) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang returned to Chelsea training in good spirits, despite both players likely to leave Stamford Bridge during the summer term

“The whole team is working very hard to try and earn what we want. I don’t want to talk about specific names,” Pochettino said after the Seagulls rejected Chelsea’s $70 million offer.

The Chelsea tour group has just six midfielders, each of whom has made just 7.6 Premier League starts on average, but Pochettino called on his youngsters to seize their opportunity and show what they can do.

“Tomorrow is a good opportunity to see the young lads, to show that they are ready to play for a club like ours. No pressure, but they have to show us.’