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Chelsea are reportedly weighing up the possibility of selling Wesley Fofana and Malo Gusto as manager Xabi Alonso considers significant changes to his defensive department. According to Sports Mole on November 1, 2026, the club is reviewing its options at the back as it prepares to reshape the squad for the future.
Fofana, who arrived at Stamford Bridge from Leicester City in 2022 in a deal worth approximately £70 million, is among the players facing uncertainty over his long-term future. Despite the substantial investment Chelsea made to secure his services, questions have reportedly emerged about his consistency and ability to provide the defensive reliability required by the team.
Those concerns could influence the club’s willingness to consider offers for the French centre-back. His future may therefore depend on Alonso’s assessment of the available defensive options and the changes he believes are necessary to strengthen the squad.
Gusto could also be included in Chelsea’s potential defensive clear-out. The 23-year-old Frenchman has attracted attention from elsewhere in the Premier League, with Manchester City and Liverpool previously mentioned among the clubs linked with an interest in signing him.
Chelsea’s reported consideration of both departures comes as the club examines the overall strength and dependability of its defensive unit. The possibility of moving on from established players suggests Alonso may want greater competition and different qualities within his backline as he develops his preferred system.
At the same time, Chelsea are understood to be monitoring the transfer market for potential defensive additions. Their search is particularly focused on the right-back and right wing-back positions, indicating that strengthening those areas is part of the club’s recruitment considerations.
The pursuit of replacements could have a direct impact on the situations of Fofana and Gusto. If Chelsea identify suitable alternatives and decide to proceed with their defensive restructuring, the two French players could become available for transfer.
However, the reported plans remain part of the club’s ongoing assessment of its squad rather than confirmation that either defender will leave. Alonso’s final decisions, alongside Chelsea’s recruitment progress and any interest from other clubs, are likely to shape what happens next.
For now, both players face uncertainty as Chelsea evaluate how best to improve their defensive options ahead of future transfer activity.