Chelsea defender Benoit Badiashile is set to miss the start of next season due to a serious injury setback. The 22-year-old picked up a groin problem in training last week and is due to undergo surgery on Monday, with an estimated recovery time of four months. This will come as an early blow to incoming manager Mauricio Pochettino, who will have to make his early plans without the France international at his service.
Badiashile joined Chelsea from Monaco in January for £35m and has looked good in 11 Premier League appearances, despite a difficult time for the club under Graham Potter and Frank Lampard. He is competing in the middle of defence with the likes of Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah, while the futures of Kalidou Koulibaly and Thiago Silva remain uncertain. Silva has another year on his Chelsea contract after signing an extension in February, but has been linked with a move back to Brazil with Fluminense. Koulibaly only signed for the Blues from Napoli last year for around £33m but has made just 20 Premier League starts and has been linked with a summer exit from Stamford Bridge.
Much will depend on Mauricio Pochettino and his team of staff when it comes to the future of a string of Blues stars. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.