Chelsea will have to cope without center-back Benoit Badiashile for approximately a month due to a groin injury sustained during the match against Aston Villa. Despite his partnership with Axel Disasi contributing to one of Chelsea’s standout performances this season, Badiashile exited the field in the final moments with the injury. The Evening Standard reports that the severity of the groin issue will sideline him for about a month, ruling him out of the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool later this month.
Mauricio Pochettino, confirming last week’s news of midfielder Romeo Lavia’s injury, now faces the additional challenge of managing without the sidelined Badiashile. This setback is particularly disappointing as the Frenchman seemed to be returning to peak form after a challenging period. Pochettino, emphasizing the importance of consistency in his squad, is now forced to alter his defensive lineup for the upcoming clash with Crystal Palace.
Although Thiago Silva is expected to return to the team at Selhurst Park, concerns have arisen about the veteran’s fitness, with Pochettino attributing his absence from the previous squad to fitness issues. Levi Colwill is anticipated to be named on the bench after recovering from a hamstring injury, while Trevoh Chalobah is nearing his first appearance of the season after overcoming a thigh injury sustained in preseason.
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Ahead of the Monday fixture against Palace, Chelsea remains without Robert Sanchez, Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana, Reece James, and Lesley Ugochukwu. A draw against Roy Hodgson’s struggling side would propel Chelsea back into the top half of the Premier League table on goal difference, while a victory would place the Blues two points ahead of Wolverhampton Wanderers.