Chelsea face a massive turning point this Saturday as they host Port Vale at Stamford Bridge for an FA Cup quarter-final. According to the Evening Standard, French defender Benoit Badiashile is back in full training at Cobham after a short illness.
This is a huge boost for manager Liam Rosenior, whose side have suffered lately with four straight defeats. The club clearly missed Badiashile during their Champions League exit to PSG and the loss at Everton, where the defence looked far too shaky. Rosenior mentioned that the defender was a late withdrawal before the international break, but seeing him train on Monday alongside Estevao and Romeo Lavia suggests he’s ready to go.
Chelsea are still the favourites to reach the semi-finals, even if their recent form and lack of goals have been worrying. Badiashile has already played his part in this cup run, featuring in the wins over Hull City and Wrexham. With Reece James and Levi Colwill still out, having him back helps solve the lack of height and composure that has plagued the backline during this winless streak.
Can Badiashile save Chelsea’s season against Port Vale?
The return of the 25-year-old Frenchman offers more than just size; being left-footed, he brings much-needed balance to how Chelsea play out from the back. As a France international, Badiashile has the kind of top-level experience that should be more than enough to handle a League One attack.
While injuries have disrupted his time at Stamford Bridge, his strength in the air and his 95% passing accuracy are exactly what the team needs right now. He can sometimes struggle with speed when caught in a high defensive line, but playing in a back three next to Tosin Adarabioyo should help cover those gaps.
Starting Badiashile feels like a necessity rather than a choice if Rosenior wants to ease the pressure from the board. Relying on young players like Jorrel Hato in knockout games is a gamble, so having a seasoned defender back should provide the stability needed to stop the rot. Chelsea need to control the game and use Badiashile’s passing range to stretch the play; otherwise, they risk a humiliating exit that could cut Rosenior’s tenure short.
