Chelsea defender Benoit Badiashile has been ruled out for an extended period due to a serious hamstring injury, and is expected to miss the start of the next season. The 22-year-old joined the Blues in January for a fee of £35 million and had made 11 appearances for the club. Chelsea have high hopes for Badiashile, having awarded him a seven-and-a-half year contract, and he would have been looking to impress incoming manager Mauricio Pochettino in pre-season. However, the injury has put a dampener on his plans.
The club released a statement confirming the news: “Benoit has sustained a hamstring injury which will rule the defender out for an extended period. The 22-year-old underwent assessment with specialists earlier this week and Benoit will now begin a rehabilitation programme with the club’s medical department.”
Chelsea have had a turbulent season, with Graham Potter being sacked just two months after Badiashile’s arrival, and Frank Lampard taking over as caretaker manager last month. Despite Lampard’s efforts, the Blues have won just one game and currently sit 12th in the Premier League, 12 points above the relegation zone and 45 points behind champions Manchester City. Chelsea will face Manchester United on Thursday night and Newcastle United on the final day of the season.