Chelsea injury update as Mauricio Pochettino set for Bournemouth boost
Chelsea are expecting to have Benoît Badiashile fit for selection for their Premier League match with Bournemouth after the international break, football.london understands.
The 22-year-old defender has not featured since May 13 because of a serious hamstring injury but is now getting closer to returning to full fitness in what will be a significant boost for Mauricio Pochettino. Badiashile really impressed for the Blues in the second half of last season after signing from AS Monaco in the January transfer window.
The Frenchman, who scored his only goal for Chelsea thus far away at Bournemouth last season, is now expected to be available for selection when the Blues make the trip down to the south coast on September 17 as they look to bounce back after a really disappointing performance and result at home to Nottingham Forest. Having Badiashile to choose from will certainly prove a boost, although it remains to be seen what Pochettino has planned for the young French defender this season.
Pochettino has been using three centre-backs in his back four so far this season, with Axel Disasi and Thiago Silva playing alongside each other and Levi Colwill at left-back. However, the Argentine head coach used a 4-2-3-1 formation during pre-season so some supporters are hoping he returns to that sooner rather than later.
Badiashile was used a lot towards the end of last season under interim manager Frank Lampard and the Chelsea icon singled the defender out for praise after he scored his first goal for the club in the win at Bournemouth in May. Lampard said: «I think we all saw Benoît today and it's pretty clear he has a big talent.»
The news certainly comes as a boost for Pochettino and the rest of Chelsea as they begin to get some of
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