Chelsea has officially announced the return of Benoit Badiashile, Ben Chilwell, and Carney Chukwuemeka to first-team training ahead of their upcoming clash against Fulham this weekend. The Blues are set to face the Cottagers at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon, with both teams aiming to make advancements in the Premier League standings.
Chelsea enters the west London derby on the heels of a frustrating loss to Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg. Similarly, Fulham faced disappointment in the League Cup, relinquishing a 1-0 lead against Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday night.
Mauricio Pochettino is eager to bounce back with a victory this weekend, and the return of Badiashile and Chilwell could provide a strategic advantage. If the 51-year-old manager decides to reintroduce these players, it might impact Levi Colwill’s position in the starting lineup.
Get Instantly Update By: Joining Our Whatapps and Telegram Channel
Both Badiashile and Colwill favor the left center-back role, and Chilwell is a natural full-back. After Chelsea’s recent defeat to Middlesbrough, Pochettino addressed Colwill’s performance, acknowledging the young player’s versatility.
“I think we would all agree Levi is a young player that can play in different positions,” said Pochettino. “Last game he played like a centre-back with Axel [Disasi], today we played Thiago [Silva] with Axel, Malo Gusto on the right and on the left Levi.
“We were talking a lot. I think it’s for him to take experience in the Premier League with Chelsea playing there. I think it will help him be a better player, and in the end, it is to feel the competition.
“I don’t like to compare with another player, but if you find some similarities with different clubs who sign players that can play centre-back or play full-back, you can find easily. Look, for me Levi is having a fantastic season.
“He is playing centre-back or full-back and is a player for the future of Chelsea. At the moment, when you don’t win, when you struggle, and we are a young team with young players, they need to learn and need to improve in the competition.”