Mauricio Pochettino may consider starting Levi Colwill and Benoit Badiashile together in the same Chelsea line-up.
That has been suggested by well-respected journalist Ben Jacobs.
Writing in Simon Phillips’ Substack this week, Jacobs has explained that Chelsea’s new head coach is “certainly” open to the idea of using two left-sided centre-backs in the heart of defence.
Therefore, left-footers Levi Colwill and Benoit Badiashile may be a possible centre-half combination.
It’s very rare you get two left-footed centre-backs as a starting partnership, but Chelsea definitely need to consider it for next season.
The Blues are lucky to have quality right-footers such as Thiago Silva, Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah to call upon at the back. However, Colwill and Badiashlile are two left-footers that may be at the front of the queue to start under Pochettino.
It would be foolish to make it straight shootout between the pair each week.
Badiashile, who’s just 22, made a really positive impact during his debut season last year at Stamford Bridge.
The Frenchman is a powerhouse defender with great composure and authority on the ball. He looks mature beyond his years, too.
Incidentally, journalist Bobby Vincent claimed on Twitter recently that Badiashile is back in the gym as he steps up recovery from a serious hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s academy graduate Colwill is due back at the club for pre-season after a really positive loan at Brighton.
Many supporters are excited to see what the 20-year-old can do with a first-team chance at Stamford Bridge. Thankfully, Pochettino has a great history of developing and improving youngsters.
There’s a lot of similarities between Badiashile and Colwill with their preference to play as the left-sided centre-back, which does allow both the freedom to express their range of passing. Could we soon see them adapt and play alongside each other, though?
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