CHELSEA have taken a huge blow to their back line with Benoit Badiashile expected to be out of action until early NEXT season.
The 22-year-old missed out on Chelsea’s trip to Manchester City on Sunday after picking up a groin injury in training.
The French defender may even need surgery that could rule him out for up to four months.
It now looks as if the problem is worse than initially thought and the centre half is seeing experts in the next 24 hours to determine the full diagnosis.
If Badiashile does need to go under the knife it will mean he misses Chelsea’s summer tour to the US and the chance to get to know incoming boss Mauricio Pochettino.
The former Spurs manager is due to take over next month after Lampard leaves his role after Sunday’s home game against Newcastle.
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He will have the pre-season to get his new side into shape after a disappointing campaign this year.
The blow to Badiashile is particularly disappointing as he only signed in January from Monaco and has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise terrible season for Chelsea.
He has made 11 appearances for the club since the move and is considered by a lot of fans as a player for the future as they rebuild under new owner Todd Boehly.
Badiashile won’t be lonely in the medical room at Chelsea’s training ground as he joins Mason Mount, Reece James, Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante and Ben Chilwell on the club’s ever-growing injury list.
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Chelsea have options at centre back for next season with Badiashile’s injury possibly opening the door for Levi Colwill to come into the side.
Colwill has impressed on loan at Brighton and has reportedly already attracted interest from elsewhere after standing out in the Seagulls’ impressive season.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
