Frank Lampard held his pre-match press conference earlier today ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Manchester United on Thursday, with Benoit Badiashile among the topics of conversation.
The Frenchman missed Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester City through injury.
Now – ahead of the trip to Old Trafford – Frank Lampard has shared an update on Benoit Badiashile.
What’s the story?
Well, the 44-year-old confirmed rumours that Badiashile’s injury is a serious one.
The Guardian claimed that the £90,000-a-week man could potentially miss four months with a groin injury, and possibly the start of next season as he undergoes rehabilitation.
Lampard was able to correct the record by stating that Badiashile has damaged his hamstring – not his groin – although he unfortunately added that it is in fact a matter of months, not weeks, that the defender is facing on the sidelines.
As quoted by Nizaar Kinsella of the Evening Standard, Lampard said: “It is a big blow for him because I have been really impressed before his injury. The injury is a bit of a complicated injury, it is a hamstring and we’re talking months rather than weeks, unfortunately.”
Badiashile injury extends Chelsea struggles
The France Under-21 international has endured a tough time at Stamford Bridge since his £35m move from Monaco in January.
Badiashile has only experienced four Premier League wins since arriving in west London, and was also left out of Chelsea’s Champions League squad.
Lampard has also left the Limoges-born colossus on the bench in recent clashes against Wolves, Brentford and Arsenal, with the Blues suffering defeat in all of those games.
The 22-year-old presumably hoped to turn his fortunes around during pre-season under a new manager in Mauricio Pochettino.
Now – however – Badiashile will sadly have to focus on recovering from his hamstring injury, in what is a major setback for both the defender and also Chelsea.