Why Benoit Badiashile didn’t start in Chelsea’s 4-2 loss to Manchester City

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Chelsea defender Benoit Badiashile was absent from his side’s starting XI in their latest pre-season game against Manchester City.

Benoit Badiashile would have been happy to have missed the beginning of the match after watching Erling Haaland and Man City tear his team apart.

In the first half, he easily could have been one of the Chelsea central defenders given a torrid time by the Norwegian.

The new Chelsea manager made some interesting decisions in that game. For example, Maresca chose Malo Gusto over Ben Chilwell for the left-back position.

The Blues will now try to bounce back from that defeat with a win when they take on Real Madrid on Wednesday.

• READ MORE: Enzo Maresca will decide if Chelsea are going to keep £30m player this summer

Chelsea managing Benoit Badiashile carefully

Chelsea fans do not have to worry about Badiashile not being fit. That was not the reason for the 23-year-old’s exclusion from the starting XI.

According to journalist Nizaar Kinsella, Chelsea were just thinking about Badiashile’s load management.

It makes a lot of sense, especially after all of the Frenchman’s injuries last season. In total, he made just 15 starts in the Premier League.

Chelsea fans were furious with Badiashile after his performance in the Blues’ 4-1 loss against Celtic the game before the City defeat.

If Badiashile is ready to start against Real Madrid on Wednesday, then he will need to do much better.

Benoit Badiashile has competition

One reason why Badiashile needs to improve is because he has competition in his position. Levi Colwill started in the left centre-back spot in the City defeat, and he may not be the only player who Badiashile has to worry about.

There is also new signing Renato Veiga, who can start on the left side of central defence as well. There is no guarantee that he will be at Stamford Bridge in the new season, though.

Chelsea could send Veiga to another team for the 2024/25 campaign. Regardless, after his display in the 4-1 loss against Celtic, supporters will want to see more from the France international.