Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino provided a positive update this afternoon regarding the fitness of Benoit Badiashile.
The Blues host Arsenal tomorrow in the Premier League, and there’s been a piece of good news in Mauricio Pochettino’s pre-match press conference.
Benoit Badiashile, who’s not played this season due to injury, may be back in a matchday squad on Saturday evening.
The 22-year-old centre-back is in contention to at least make the bench versus Arsenal.
Badiashile boost
Journalist Bobby Vincent reported via his X channel earlier today that sources close to Badiashile believe that he’s ready to play against Arsenal.
It sounds like a place in the starting line-up on Saturday may be a stretch too far for his return, but we’ll have to wait and see for the team announcement. Incidentally, it’s a 5:30pm kick-off with the team usually announced an hour beforehand.
Pochettino did at least share in his press conference that Badiashile could be involved in the squad at home to Arsenal.
“Benoit can maybe be available to be on the bench,” Pochettino said via Chelsea’s YouTube channel.
Chelsea depth
The sheer pile up of injuries at Stamford Bridge in the opening months of the season has resulted in some very inexperienced Chelsea benches. It’s certainly not looked like a squad which has cost a fortune to assemble.
We’re going to see there’s actually some great depth in the group once more and more individuals return to fitness, though.
In our view, we wouldn’t like to see Badiashile thrown back into the team against a top side such as Arsenal. It could be a frantic London derby where the Gunners attack may stretch the Blues defence.
Instead, Pochettino’s side has upcoming games against Brentford (league) and Blackburn Rovers (Carabao Cup), which may be more suitable for a return after a few months out of action.
Once Badiashile is fully fit again, we’re definitely expecting him to push hard for a starting position in defence.
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