Sevilla FC defender Loïc Badé has been called up to the Blues for the first time for the Nations League. He replaces Wesley Fofana, who is out due to injury.
One man’s misfortune is another man’s gain. The French Football Federation (FFF) announced this Sunday that Wesley Fofana will not participate in the next gathering of the French team. The Chelsea defender “will ultimately remain at the disposal of his club […] to follow a treatment protocol, linked to the injuries which kept him away from the field for a long time last season”specifies the FFF. Fofana had been operated on a year ago on his right knee following a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament.
Fofana, 23, has played three full Premier League matches this season after more than a year away from the pitch. His absence has led to Loïc Badé’s first call-up to Les Bleus. Having made his mark at Lens and then Rennes, the 24-year-old defender is a regular at Sevilla FC. He won the Europa League there in 2023. Badé was a regular for Les Bleuets olympiques at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where the team managed by Thierry Henry won the silver medal.
The French team will play two Nations League matches during the break. They will host Italy on Friday, September 6 at the Parc des Princes (Paris), then Belgium on Monday, September 9 at the Groupama Stadium (Lyon-Décines).