Chelsea faces a significant setback as defender Benoit Badiashile is reportedly set to miss a month of action, including the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool and Premier League matches against Manchester City and Brentford.
The Frenchman suffered a groin injury during last week’s FA Cup fourth-round replay against Aston Villa, where Chelsea secured a 3-1 victory.
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino expressed concern about Badiashile’s injury, stating that a scan would be necessary to assess the extent of the groin issue.
The absence of the talented center-back poses a challenge for Chelsea, forcing adjustments to the starting lineup.
Former Blues midfielder Cesc Fabregas recently praised the defensive abilities of Badiashile, highlighting him as one of the best ball-playing center-backs among young players in Europe.
Despite the setback, Chelsea will need to reshuffle the lineup for upcoming matches, with veteran defender Thiago Silva expected to step in unless Pochettino opts for injured players Trevoh Chalobah or Levi Colwill.
In the aftermath of Chelsea’s 3-1 victory over Aston Villa, Pochettino acknowledged that the team is starting to take shape.
While he hasn’t finalized the starting lineup, he hinted that it might resemble the group that triumphed over Unai Emery’s squad in the FA Cup.
Pochettino emphasized the importance of players showing positive attitudes and behaviors in training, noting gradual improvements in the team’s overall performance.
Looking ahead, Chelsea is set to face Leeds United in the FA Cup fifth round after the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool on February 25.
Pochettino highlighted the team’s focus on winning the next game and building positive feelings from their recent success against Aston Villa.
The absence of Badiashile presents a challenge for Chelsea’s defensive lineup, requiring strategic adjustments from Pochettino.
As the team navigates a busy schedule with crucial fixtures, the manager remains optimistic about the team’s improvement and aims to secure positive results in upcoming matches.
