This is a big international break for a number of Chelsea players – there’s a first senior England callup for Noni Madueke for example, plus chances for his teammates Levi Colwill and Cole Palmer to establish themselves for the Three Lions.
Renato Veiga has got a first senior Portugal callup, and can cap off a great summer by establishing himself with the Selecao. Plus there are plenty of Blues not getting into the team right now who could use the minutes with their country.
The most interesting situation of all is surely Wesley Fofana. After a devastating few years spent out injured, it took just a couple of games back fit playing in the Premier League for him to get a callup to the France squad again – no mean feat considering the talent they have.
But it was announced yesterday that Fofana had turned down the callup, preferring to take a break and then return to work with the squad at Cobham as he gets his body used to regular top level action again after so long out.
A tough call – but the right one
This must have been a hard decision for Fofana – you never know when your chance will come around again, or who might impress the manager in your absence – but it’s quite obviously the right one. Certainly from a Chelsea point of view, it’s a major boost. Fofana has been building a nice relationship with Levi Colwill as our first choice central defensive partnership, and this caution helps ensure that can continue after the break.
In the long run, establishing himself as Chelsea’s first choice central defender and keeping healthy will be Fofana’s best bet for getting regular France callups anyway. Let’s hope this break has the intended effect of helping him safely get up to speed, and we can count on him for the rest of the campaign.