Benoit Badiashile responds to Chelsea return ahead of FC Copenhagen clash
Chelsea defender Benoit Badiashile has sent an update to fans on social media ahead of their Europa Conference League clash with FC Copenhagen.
Badiashile has been missing for Chelsea recently, having suffered an injury in training.
The former Monaco man joined the club in January 2023, but has only made 33 Premier League appearances in two-and-a-half seasons at the club.
Despite struggling to make his mark, Chelsea refused to entertain offers for Badiashile in January, after interest from Marseille and Juventus.
Instead, the club let Renato Veiga join Juventus, and Axel Disasi join Aston Villa in the winter transfer window, both on temporary deals.
Benoit Badiashile back in the squad for FC Copenhagen clash
The former Monaco man has barely featured in the Premier League this season, but has been used by Enzo Maresca in every Conference League game so far.
Badiashile posted a photo of himself in Chelsea training gear on Instagram, captioned: “Happy to be back with the team”.
The France international will be hoping to gain more minutes in the competition, with a view to earning a place in the Blues’ Premier League games more often.
Chelsea defensive frailties need addressing in summer transfer window
Football Insider Verdict
Fixing Chelsea’s shaky defence must be the first priority for Maresca, and Todd Boehly, come the summer transfer window.
Badiashile is just one of a plethora of defenders who have partnered Levi Colwill at the back this season, including Wesley Fofana, Axel Disasi, Josh Acheampong, Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo.
| 2024/25 Premier League stats | Badiashile |
| Appearances | 4 |
| Starts | 2 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Minutes | 247 |
Former Leicester man, Fofana was arguably the best of the bunch, but the France international has been plagued with injury issues since joining the club, and has only just overcome a hamstring issue.
However, whilst Chelsea have often turned to the transfer market in an attempt to fix their issues, the smartest decision may come in relying on a player they already own.
Thiago Motta dubbed Veiga as Juventus’ “new wall” and the Portuguese centre-back has established himself as a monumental defender in Turin.
Focusing on building around the former Basel man, and Colwill, may be the answer to Chelsea’s defensive woes.