Enzo Maresca has publicly reiterated his faith in Chelsea’s Benoit Badiashile.
Benoit Badiashile, 24, has had a mixed time at Chelsea since Enzo Maresca became the head coach at the start of last season.
The French centre-back ended up as a fringe player last term, playing 22 matches across all competitions. This season, he’s only recently returned from injury as well.
It was a real boost to have the Frenchman return and make a late cameo in last weekend’s Premier League defeat to Brighton amid a defensive injury crisis. Afterwards, Badiashile started and was brilliant against Benfica on Tuesday night in the Champions League.
All eyes will be on Chelsea’s starting line-up on Saturday evening against Liverpool to see if the left-footed centre-half starts his first Premier League match of the 2025/26 campaign.
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Enzo Maresca insists Benoit Badiashile is key to Chelsea
On Friday morning, Chelsea boss Maresca spoke in his pre-match press conference before the weekend’s league fixture at home to Liverpool.
He actually doubled down on Badiashile by claiming he’s always viewed the Blues defender as an important part of his squad. Apparently, his return to fitness will be a significant boost to the rest of the squad.
Maresca said via Football.London: “Since I joined the club, every time I spoke about Benoit, I always said that for me personally, he’s an important player. He’s a very good player.
“Unfortunately, he has been injured a few times since I joined the club. But again, before the last injury, he was playing almost every game. Before, in the Club World Cup, he had an injury against Benfica. But now he’s back. It’s good news for us, for the team-mates, but especially for him. Because when you are out for a long time, a long period, it’s always a shame.”
Badiashile’s comeback is definitely timely because centre-backs Levi Colwill and Tosin Adarabioyo are out injured. On top of that, Wesley Fofana is sidelined because of a concussion, while Trevoh Chalobah is suspended against Liverpool.
Even if the fanbase are still a bit undecided, Badiashile has a lot of support from within Chelsea because his development is moving in the right direction.
If the 24-year-old defender can keep himself fit, we’re intrigued to see if he plays a major role in the months ahead.
It is a crucial few months for Chelsea’s centre-backs
Chelsea may be prepared to sign another central defender in January because Maresca has concerns over the position, along with the goalkeeper.
Therefore, the current Blues defenders have a few months before the mid-season transfer window to prove they can be relied upon.
With Colwill sidelined because of an ACL injury, the heart of defence suddenly look a lot more vulnerable than last season. The opportunity is there for the any of the current crop of defenders to nail down a permanent starting position.
It doesn’t feel like there’s a lot between Badiashile, Fofana, Chalobah and Tosin right now. Josh Acheampong and Jorrel Hato are alternative options, too.
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