Wesley Fofana: Signs For LCFC

[JV9]

Ivory Coast defender?

[StanSP]

Quote

It was only a few minutes into Wesley Fofana's first training session last October when it became clear Leicester had signed a future star.

 

His new team-mates were blown away by the poise and maturity of this little-known teenager, who has since emerged as one of the signings of the season and another triumph of Leicester recruitment.

A prodigious young talent who performs like a Rolls-Royce, Ferrari and Lamborghini rolled into one, Fofana will face Manchester United on Sunday with an FA Cup semi-final in his sights.

It has been an unconventional route to the Premier League, from a difficult upbringing in southern France to joining Saint-Étienne’s academy at the age of 14. Six years later, the £30 million defender appears to have the world at his feet.

“Perhaps my career took off a little later than expected or planned, but that never worried me,” says Fofana.

I'm someone who has always worked hard, maybe it means I was working in the shadows a little bit. I was never the best in my generation, never the one who stood out, but I was always completely focused on my goal and I think that shows today."
 

Fofana has made it look easy since his transition into English football, establishing himself at the heart of Leicester’s defence with a number of outstanding performances. 

Known as ‘Little Wes’, due to the presence of club captain Wes Morgan, he is powerful in the air, aggressive and quick, with a wide range of passing. 

A defender always on the front-foot, he has also demonstrated an unerring ability to sniff out danger before it materialises.

Fofana points to Kolo Toure, the former Arsenal and Manchester City defender who now works as one of Brendan Rodgers’s coaches, and Jonny Evans as crucial to his success so far.
 

When I was little, Kolo was a hero to me, given that he was such a great centre-back and from the Ivory Coast as well,” he says. “It was an absolute dream to work with him and I have an enormous amount of luck to be able to. 

I listen to everything he says. It’s not just about what’s on the pitch, he advises me on what I need to do in terms of nutrition, keeping myself hydrated and everything that comes off the pitch. 

“He has helped me a lot tactically and also in communication, even though I’m speaking in a language that I’m not used to at the moment.

"Jonny is also someone who helps me on the pitch an awful lot and speaks with me all the time. They have really contributed to the start that I’ve made here."

Fofana’s family are also never far from his thoughts. Growing up he lived in Vitrolles, a small village 15 miles north of Marseille, with his mother and grandmother raising him as the fourth of six children.

Money was tight, with his father absent, but football was always the driving force. His passion for the game at a young age was unwavering, and he was once suspended from school for a week after breaking a window with a misplaced shot.

I had a really happy childhood,” he says. “I started playing football when I was quite young which meant there were certain people who came into my life who really helped me on that journey.

When you’re starting out there are a lot of temptations that can take you away from the right thing to do and it was thanks to those people that I kept on the right track.

 

“My family is hugely important for me. They did everything to help me, without putting on lots of pressure. I was really determined to achieve this, for me and for them.”

 

Playing for local junior team SC Air Bel, it was in 2015 when Fofana was presented with the life-changing move to Saint-Étienne, three hours up the A47 motorway.

 

“They came to see me play, approached me and met my family. We decided it was the right thing to do,” he says. “Of course it was hard to leave home but I always had confidence in myself that I could make it work. 
 

"I was living in the training centre in shared accommodation with all the other young players who came from all over to play for the club. 

 

" When I signed my first professional contract [in May 2018] I brought my family with me – they loved it and they are still there now.”

 

It was under Claude Puel, a former Leicester manager, that Fofana’s star really started to rise. He made only 13 starts in Ligue 1 for Saint-Étienne last season, but had been scouted long before by Leicester during his matches with the club’s second team.

When Leicester came in for me, they presented their project and I was 100 per cent sure that was where I wanted to go,” he says. 

“Saint-Étienne didn't agree with me. I wanted to leave, they said no. The coach didn't want me to go either. Some of the supporters were unhappy with me. It was really tough for my family [his mother and sister were abused by some supporters].

 

“Things were said, but I didn't let that affect me. I built a wall around myself and I knew I was making the right decision. They wanted what was best for their team, I can understand it. Right now, everything has worked out for the best.”

Fofana takes on United this weekend with Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves, both former players at Old Trafford, recently insisting the Frenchman would transform Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad.

Yet he is fully settled in Leicester, with members of his family expected to join him soon. Leicester also have no plans to cash in, recognising Fofana as a key player in their future after signing him to a five-year contract. 

With Leicester targeting a place in the last four of the FA Cup, the club are also on course to play in next season’s Champions League.

“I always remember Didier Drogba winning the Champions League with Chelsea, it’s unbelievable to think that I could have the opportunity to play in that tournament,” says Fofana.

"We are in the places already and we’ll see if we can get it. I’m just hoping that everything continues and I’m going to give everything I’ve got to make sure things keep improving for me.

 

Edited 20 March 2021 by StanSP

[Grebfromgrebland]

1 hour ago, Tuna said:

Telegraph interview, behind a paywall obvs

 

 

Just stop the page loading before the paywall kicks in. 

 

There's absolutely no way any decent human being should give the telegraph any money.

[JamesfromlondonLCFC]

2 hours ago, Grebfromgrebland said:

Just stop the page loading before the paywall kicks in. 

 

There's absolutely no way any decent human being should give the telegraph any money.

Honestly i remember how baffed i was when i discovered this was a thing. like honestly who designed their website? its so easy to fix as well lol. 

[1972 Fox]

7 hours ago, StanSP said:

it was in 2015 when Fofana was presented with the life-changing move to Saint-Étienne, three hours up the A47

Similar to a Norwich awayday!

[surrifox]

Impressive scouting by our team - identifying him playing Ligue 1 reserves football as a teenager 

[slymunn]

Little Wes is in the world youth team of the year 🔥

[Poco]

31 minutes ago, slymunn said:

Little Wes is in the world youth team of the year 🔥

He's keeping some good company there! Incredible to think he plays for us!

[fox_favourite]

It is amazing to think how young he is. He got thrown in as a need, didn’t really have a settling in period for the club let alone the premier league. But he’s never looked out of place or out his depth. This is a mark of a quality player, but to do that so young is even more impressive. 
 

We’ll be lucky to hold on to him long term. 

[Analysethis]

Amazing he cant start for the French u-21s

 

For me, he is better than the likes of Lenglet and Zouma who are in the main squad. 

[Ric Flair]

5 hours ago, Analysethis said:

Amazing he cant start for the French u-21s

 

For me, he is better than the likes of Lenglet and Zouma who are in the main squad. 

That U21 squad is sickeningly good, would batter England senior side

[SemperEadem]

Needs to stop singalong selfie instagram videos whilst driving.

[Analysethis]

29 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

That U21 squad is sickeningly good, would batter England senior side

LOL, I dont think so mate. They have some amazing youngsters coming through but they cant even top there qualifying group at the moment. They are at a huge advantage as well as the Senior side doesnt play the younger lads that often these days, preferring to let them develop together with the u21s. I think I am right in saying that France didn't have one player 21 or under in the Senior squads over the last few Internationals. Mbappe at 22 I think was the youngest and no team leaves him out!

 

Gareth Southgate has gone a different direction though as has loads of younger lads around the first team. Imagine our u21s with Foden, Hudson-Odoi, Reece-James, Bellingham, Sancho, Saka, Greenwood whilst the likes of Alexander-Arnold, Rice and Mount would have qualified too. I'm sure I have missed plenty out who would have been eligible at the start of qualifying. Id say our kids are better than theirs, ours are just blooded into the first team. The coin is in the air whether we get the best out of them. 

[OhYesNdidi]

13 minutes ago, Analysethis said:

LOL, I dont think so mate. They have some amazing youngsters coming through but they cant even top there qualifying group at the moment. They are at a huge advantage as well as the Senior side doesnt play the younger lads that often these days, preferring to let them develop together with the u21s. I think I am right in saying that France didn't have one player 21 or under in the Senior squads over the last few Internationals. Mbappe at 22 I think was the youngest and no team leaves him out!

 

Gareth Southgate has gone a different direction though as has loads of younger lads around the first team. Imagine our u21s with Foden, Hudson-Odoi, Reece-James, Bellingham, Sancho, Saka, Greenwood whilst the likes of Alexander-Arnold, Rice and Mount would have qualified too. I'm sure I have missed plenty out who would have been eligible at the start of qualifying. Id say our kids are better than theirs, ours are just blooded into the first team. The coin is in the air whether we get the best out of them. 

You have to consider that those talented players for the 21s can’t get in the first team because France’ first team is so good.

[Sly]

13 hours ago, OhYesNdidi said:

You have to consider that those talented players for the 21s can’t get in the first team because France’ first team is so good.

Laporte

Varane

Fofana

Todibo

Lenglet

Upamecano

Kimpembe

Koundé

Umtiti

Hernandez

Koscielney

Konaté

Zouma

 

...... struggling for centre backs a France

[PNM]

3 minutes ago, Sly said:

Laporte

Varane

Fofana

Todibo

Lenglet

Upamecano

Kimpembe

Koundé

Umtiti

Hernandez

Koscielney

Konaté

Zouma

 

...... struggling for centre backs a France

I hate them. Apart from Wes 

[Incognito]

9 hours ago, Sly said:

Laporte

Varane

Fofana

Todibo

Lenglet

Upamecano

Kimpembe

Koundé

Umtiti

Hernandez

Koscielney

Konaté

Zouma

 

...... struggling for centre backs a France

Doesn't Fofana qualify for Mali?

 

I can't see him not getting a game, eventually, for the senior French team but at least he has a backup option for senior international football.

[st albans fox]

12 hours ago, Sly said:

Laporte

Varane

Fofana

Todibo

Lenglet

Upamecano

Kimpembe

Koundé

Umtiti

Hernandez

Koscielney

Konaté

Zouma

 

...... struggling for centre backs a France

We have maguire, stones, coady, mings .....  

[Leicester_Loyal]

 

[st albans fox]

New problem for us considering the game arrangements 

 

next three fixtures are 8pm k/offs 

 

little wes gonna be knackered with no food or drink before/during the game .......

[foxfanazer]

1 minute ago, st albans fox said:

New problem for us considering the game arrangements 

 

next three fixtures are 8pm k/offs 

 

little wes gonna be knackered with no food or drink before/during the game .......

Not ideal but he seemed to cope well last night. Obviously isn't great if we're forced to use a sub on him for all of those games 

[Qwerty]

16 minutes ago, st albans fox said:

New problem for us considering the game arrangements 

 

next three fixtures are 8pm k/offs 

 

little wes gonna be knackered with no food or drink before/during the game .......

I’d have thought the late kicks offs could help.  He could have a drink and a snack at half time.  And luckily it’ll be over by the cup final. 

[coolhandfox]

18 minutes ago, st albans fox said:

New problem for us considering the game arrangements 

 

next three fixtures are 8pm k/offs 

 

little wes gonna be knackered with no food or drink before/during the game .......

Lots of teams in the league will be dealing with this, it fine.

 

 

[moore_94]

 

[StriderHiryu]

3 minutes ago, moore_94 said:

 

Fair play to Palace for doing that! Love a bit of fair play in modern football!

 

Fabulous performance considering he hadn't eaten all day. That energy was insane.