Chelsea defender Benoit Badiashile ‘could be out for FOUR MONTHS’ after picking up a groin injury
Chelsea defender Benoit Badiashile ‘could be out FOUR MONTHS’ after suffering a groin injury in training, with Levi Colwill likely to replace the Frenchman in Mauricio Pochettino’s plans at the start of next season
- Benoit Badiashile has been impressing Chelsea since joining the club in January
- He missed The Blues’ 1–0 defeat to Manchester City after a groin injury
- The 22-year-old “could be out for four months” and needs surgery
Chelsea have been injured after Benoit Badiashile’s groin injury turned out to be worse than initially feared.
The defender has been a rare asset to the Blues since signing in January and has made 11 Premier League appearances.
He was left out of their 1-0 defeat to Man City at the weekend after suffering a groin injury, and it now looks as if the France international could miss the start of next season.
According to reports in the Evening StandardBadiashile could be “out for four months” and will have to undergo surgery.
It will be a blow to Mauricio Pochettino, who is expected to be appointed as Chelsea manager in the coming weeks, as Basilahsile was a big part of his future plans.
Benoit Badiashile could be ‘out for four months’ after a groin injury
Levi Colwill can take his place at Chelsea after impressing on loan at Brighton
Mauricio Pochettino, who is expected to become Chelsea boss, is said to be a fan of the 20-year-old defender
At just 22 years old, he already showed promise at Stamford Bridge, scoring his first Premier League goal in the Blues’ victory over Bournemouth earlier this month.
The injury could open a spot for Levi Colwill, who has shone on loan at Brighton this season and will return to Chelsea this summer.
There may have been no room for either player in Chelsea’s bloated squad, as both fill the same role as left-footed centre-backs.
Standard reports, however, that Pochettino was impressed by Colwill and that Badisahile’s absence at the start of Chelsea’s next Premier League campaign might offer him a chance.
Whatever the injury situation, The Blues will rebuild their roster as soon as possible after a torrid season.
They are 12th in the table with two tough games left against Manchester United and Newcastle, and only three teams have scored fewer league goals than them this season.
Badiashile’s form was a rare highlight in a Chelsea season that saw little go right
Caretaker manager Frank Lampard encouraged his players to ‘take personal responsibility’ for their future
Looking back at this season and how his young side can move forward after the Blues’ 1-0 defeat to Man City on Sunday, caretaker manager Frank Lampard said: “Manchester City haven’t won three times.” [Premier League titles] consecutively through half intensity. They had to work and work and work. The players need to understand that.
“They need to take personal responsibility and say, ‘I want to be [Erling] Haland or [Kevin] De Bruyne, I have to do the job they have.”
“It’s something they should strive for. It’s in their hands. I can’t say how long it will take.
“It’s up to the players and the direction of the club. This Premier League is getting harder and harder.’