Bruno Saltor praises ‘outstanding’ Chelsea defender for nullifying Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez
Posted by  badge Boss on Apr 05, 2023 - 10:28AM
The interim manager was thrilled with his young centre-back’s display (Picture: Chelsea TV)

has singled out Wesley Fofana for his performance in ’s goalless draw with Liverpool and praised the manner in which he nullified .

The 22-year-old centre-back, whose season has been heavily disrupted by injury, missed the weekend defeat to – a match which ultimately cost Graham Potter his job – but returned to the starting XI for Tuesday’s .

Fofana gave a superb display on the right side of Chelsea’s back three, winning a match-high eight tackles and five interceptions and winning the most duels (11) of any player on the pitch.

He kept the dangerous Nunez on a tight leash until the frustrated Uruguayan was withdrawn and stand-in boss Bruno was delighted with the impact of the young Frenchman.

Asked about Fofana’s display, Bruno told Chelsea TV afterwards: ‘Incredible, because he comes back from an injury and he’s going through Ramadan as well.

‘To have a performance like this, against players with a lot of space to defend in behind – against Nunez, who is one of the fastest, if not the fastest, players in the Premier League – is outstanding.’

Fofana himself was delighted with his own individual performance even if Chelsea did not manage to get the goal their play probably merited.

Fofana came out on top in his tussle with Nunez (Picture: Getty)

‘I feel good personally, good sensation, good game. But no victory tonight is a little difficult sentiment,’ said the summer signing, who has been limited to just six Premier League starts.

‘But it is okay, now we stay focused for the next game because the next game comes quickly, this weekend, and that’s it.

‘It’s the Premier League, it’s an historic game, it’s Chelsea v Liverpool, it’s normal that the game is very intense.

‘It was a good game tonight for the fans. I’m good, I’m happy, because I love football for that, for this game.’

On Potter’s dismissal just 48 hours before the match, he added: ‘It’s complicated, it’s difficult. It’s difficult for all the club, for the players, because this situation is not perfect for preparing for a game.

‘But it is like this, this is the situation, all players and all the staff keep pushing, work hard to prepare for the game and that’s it. And now I just want a win.

‘The message [from Bruno] is: play for the club, play for Chelsea and play together and play with your heart. It’s a good message, because all the players gave everything on the pitch. No victory, but it’s good.’

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