Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has heaped praise on an “important” member of the squad following his return from injury.
Chelsea face Premier League title rivals Liverpool amid selection crisis
The Blues have endured a pretty underwhelming start to the 2025/2026 campaign, and it doesn’t get any easier as Maresca’s side prepare to host Premier League champions Liverpool this afternoon.
Maresca, after winning the Conference League, Club World Cup and qualifying for the Champions League last season, has been tasked with building upon 2024/2025’s feats with over £280 million spent on new recruits in the summer window.
|
The Premier League’s biggest summer spenders |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Team |
Spent |
Received |
Net Spend |
|
Liverpool |
£415,000,000 |
£187,000,000 |
£228,000,000 |
|
Chelsea |
£285,000,000 |
£288,000,000 |
-£3,000,000 |
|
Arsenal |
£255,000,000 |
£9,000,000 |
£246,000,000 |
|
Newcastle |
£250,000,000 |
£152,000,000 |
£98,000,000 |
|
Man Utd |
£216,000,000 |
£68,000,000 |
£148,000,000 |
|
Nottm Forest |
£205,000,000 |
£107,000,000 |
£98,000,000 |
|
Tottenham |
£181,000,000 |
£36,000,000 |
£145,000,000 |
|
Sunderland |
£162,000,000 |
£44,000,000 |
£118,000,000 |
|
Man City |
£152,000,000 |
£53,000,000 |
£99,000,000 |
|
West Ham |
£124,000,000 |
£55,000,000 |
£69,000,000 |
|
via BBC |
|||
However, he is also forced to lean on a roster full of youth and a starting eleven boasting an average age of just 24.1 (BBC), with injuries crippling the tactician so far.
As October arrives, Chelsea’s absentee list includes Liam Delap, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Dario Essugo, Andrey Santos, Trevoh Chalobah and star forward Cole Palmer — who are all set to miss today’s clash with Arne Slot’s side at Stamford Bridge.
Fofana and Tosin are not expected to return until after the international break, with the former undergoing concussion protocol, while Chalobah is serving a one-match suspension after his red card against Brighton last weekend.
Colwill is set to miss the majority of this season after rupturing his ACL in pre-season too — leaving Maresca absolutely bereft of centre-backs to choose from against Liverpool — with it being most likely that Benoit Badiashile and Jorrel Hato are given the starting nod.
Badiashile has only just returned from injury himself, starting his first game of the season in a 1-0 Champions League win over José Mourinho’s Benfica on Tuesday, and the Frenchman impressed.
Reports suggest that Chelsea insiders have pushed Badiashile’s case behind-the-scenes as a capable deputy to come in and play a significant role, despite being linked with a move away last summer.
The 24-year-old’s presence, amid Chelsea’s serious defensive shortage, now looks more imperative than ever, with Badiashile refusing a move away in the last window and declaring his love for the West Londoners.
“The club, the coach, and all the staff give me a lot of confidence and believe in me. I will do everything to give back to them on the pitch,” Badiashile told Foot Mercato in July.
“I love the club, the city, and the supporters. I hope to be able to make even more history with this magnificent club.”
The former Monaco star’s loyalty is being repaid by Maresca, who piled praise on Badiashile in his pre-Liverpool press conference.
Enzo Maresca praises Benoit Badiashile return as “good news” for Chelsea
Speaking to reporters, Chelsea’s boss confirmed that Badiashile is in fact an “important” player for them, and his return to the fold is “good news” ahead of their challenging face-off against England’s champions.
“Since I joined the club, every time I have spoken about Benoit I’ve always said he’s an important player and a very good player,” Maresca said.
“Unfortunately, he’s been injured a few times since I joined the club, but before the last one he was almost playing every game at the Club World Cup. Then got injured against Benfica.
“Now he is back and that’s good news for us, his team-mates and especially for him, because when you are out for a long period it’s always a shame.”
Unfortunately for Badiashile, his place in the starting eleven is under threat long-term.
According to reports, Chelsea and Maresca are in agreement that the signing of a star centre-back takes “priority” for January.
Meanwhile, it is also believed that Chelsea have reached out to Marc Guehi’s camp this week and could attempt to re-sign the Crystal Palace star for a cut-price fee in the winter.
