Benoit Badiashile has joined the Chelsea injury list ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Premier League leaders Manchester City. The Blues have picked up their first points under interim boss Frank Lampard with a draw against Nottingham Forest and a win over Bournemouth in the last two weeks, but they will now head to the league leaders without a number of first-team stars. Reece James, Mason Mount, Ben Chilwell, Marc Cucurella and Mateo Kovacic are all sidelined, while N’Golo Kante is likely to miss the rest of the season after a new injury setback. January signing Badiashile had started Chelsea’s last two games in Kalidou Koulibaly’s absence, but he too will miss out this weekend.
City can be crowned champions this weekend if they beat Chelsea on their own turf on Sunday. Second place Arsenal are in action against Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening and Pep Guardiola’s side can seal the title without kicking a ball should the Gunners lose at the City Ground. A draw for Arsenal would also leave City needing just a point. Lampard has called for his players to show ‘respect for ourselves’ when they take on the Treble-chasing opposition, saying ‘you have to expect the best version of Manchester City’. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.