Bournemouth's Illia Zabarnyi as Fofana Replacement?
Chelsea are encouraged to target Bournemouth's Illia Zabarnyi as a £50m solution to Wesley Fofana's injury crisis.
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Chelsea Chronicle

Written by
Steve Worrell
Following Wesley Fofana's devastating injury blow, Chelsea must address their defensive frailty by targeting Bournemouth’s Illia Zabarnyi. The 22-year-old Ukraine international has been a standout performer in the Premier League and fits the Blues' need for a commanding right-sided centre-back. With Chelsea aiming to solidify their backline for a top-four push, a January move for Zabarnyi could provide both immediate support and a long-term solution in defense.
Wesley Fofana’s injury could rule him out for the rest of the season, leaving a significant gap in Chelsea’s defense.
Chelsea are reportedly interested in Bournemouth’s Illia Zabarnyi, a 22-year-old central defender valued at £50m.
Zabarnyi has excelled in the Premier League, with consistent performances and impressive stats, including:- 19 appearances this season with a 66.7% tackle success rate.
- 97 recoveries and an 82.2% pass accuracy.
- Renowned for his composure, strong aerial presence, and slide tackles.
Chelsea and Tottenham have been linked with Zabarnyi, but Bournemouth are reluctant to sell mid-season.
Signing Zabarnyi in January could not only address Chelsea's defensive needs but also secure a future star for the club’s project.
Zabarnyi’s partnership with Levi Colwill could form the backbone of Chelsea’s defense for years to come.
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Written by
Steve Worrell
Steve, Co-founder of The 1905 Club, created the platform to provide honest, clickbait-free Chelsea FC content. He worked at Stamford Bridge from 2013 to 2016 with a Champions League sponsor. His first Chelsea match was a 1-0 win at Leeds in 2000, and his favourite was the epic 2012 Champions League game against Napoli.