Wesley Fofana was injured for Chelsea’s defeat at Brighton back in October, a result that brought an end to a nine-game unbeaten run. Today, as the Blues seek a first win in six, the young defender is keen to play his part as the Seagulls visit Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea may be midway through a huge Champions League tie against Real Madrid but Fofana is clear there is a drive on to win every remaining game this season, beginning with today, and he has explained a back-to-basics approach as the squad now under Frank Lampard’s control seek a big improvement in form.

‘It [the last game against Brighton] was frustrating because I saw the game on TV and I wanted to help,’ Fofana recalls. ‘The team lost 4-1 but this is a new game now and everybody is focused to win.

‘It is a very tough game because Brighton have had a very good season and are a very good team. They play high intensity with good players and a good coach as well, so it is a big game but everybody is ready for the fight and going to the game for a win because Chelsea is a big club. It is not normal in the Premier League that we are 11th and every player is focused and is concentrated for a big game.

‘The target is to win every game,’ the 22-year-old declares. ‘For the Champions League the qualification is to win the Champions League. The situation is complicated but when you have high targets you work hard for this. The target is to win the Champions League and win every game in the Premier League.’

Fofana emphasises that with someone at the helm who as a player won the Champions League and the Premier League, the squad are keen to hear Lampard’s advice.

‘He is a legend. Of course for this club he is big and when he talks everybody listens because it is Frank Lampard and he knows the club, he knows the fans, and he knows everything here.

‘He is a good coach as well, he comes with some different tactics to Graham Potter.

‘It is a difficult situation and the team plays simple football and it is different to Graham Potter because that was more possession. For me it is good because in a difficult situation, more basic football, more intensity, more aggression and the mentality to just win and the simple football maybe is better.’

The centre-back made his return from injury two months ago and scored the winner four home league games back, with a header against Leeds.

‘In this situation I am very happy because it gave some enjoyment for the fans and for the team and confidence in this moment,’ Fofana says. ‘It was a nice moment.

‘I am not at my best level yet because when you are out for four months it is complicated to come back and perform very highly, but I try and I give everything on the pitch.

‘This season is not good but we must just finish well, for the fans and for the club.’