Enzo Maresca opens up on why £35m man has struggled for minutes this season

Enzo Maresca has revealed that Benoit Badiashile is training very well and the reason he’s not getting minutes in the Premier League isn’t because he’s “doing bad.”

Badiashile arrived from Monaco in January 2023 and made an instant impact as he slotted into a struggling Chelsea side and put in a series of impressive performances.

Unfortunately for the Frenchman he picked up a long term injury at the back end of that campaign and really struggled to regain his form last season.

Maresca speaks on Badiashile

Badiashile made a number of individual errors last season and looked a shadow of the player that was so impressive in his first six months at the club.

Despite his talent, the defender is out of favour under Maresca and his only action this season has been in the Europa Conference League against Servette.

Tuesday evening’s Carabao Cup tie against League Two leaders Barrow represents an opportunity for Badiashile to get some much needed minutes to show Maresca what he’s capable of.

Benoit Badiashile with Chelsea team-mates before Servette game.
Badiashile has struggled for minutes this season. (Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images)

The Italian’s first choice pairing right now is Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana, but with Chelsea facing potentially the longest season in their history the squad is going to be really important.

Speaking ahead of the Barrow game Maresca revealed that Badiashile has been training well, but he’s been unable to give him minutes in the league.

“It’s important for [Mudryk vs Barrow], but it’s important for all of them,” he told reporters.

“They train very good, but unfortunately I can’t give them a chance. Benoit’s working very well, but is not getting minutes in the Premier League. It’s not because he’s doing bad.

“Sometimes you have to take some decisions. Misha, Benoit, like all the players who aren’t getting many chances, tomorrow is a good chance to get some minutes.”
Maresca is likely to make changes to the backline as Chelsea go in search for a third consecutive clean sheet and Badiashile needs to make the most of any opportunity he’s given.
Tags Benoit Badiashile Enzo Maresca
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