Chelsea’s persisting injuries have highlighted the lack of quality depth at centre-back.
Levi Colwill missing the entire season has unsettled the position, and Enzo Maresca has been working tirelessly to find a combination that works.
Wesley Fofana looks to now be returning to full fitness, but he has missed much of the season already as well. Jorrel Hato has looked capable when called upon, but the 19-year-old is still settling at Stamford Bridge.
It looked like Maresca might have his duo, but their dominant performance against Liverpool was cut short when they were both forced off with injuries.
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty ImagesDavid Ornstein provides update on Benoit Badiashile and Josh Acheampong
Before they both had to be taken off, the pairing of Josh Acheampong and Benoit Badiashile had been keeping Liverpool at bay, and looking comfortable doing so.
It felt like the latest evidence of a Chelsea curse.
But David Ornstein’s comments on The Athletic podcast should offer some encouragement.
Ornstein was asked about Chelsea’s plans for centre-back with so many injuries plaguing the side.
He’s not seeing a reason to panic, responding: “From what we’re hearing initially, Badiashile and Acheampong are not severe injuries, and there’s an international break now, there’s another one coming up in November.
“I don’t know the the durations but I I don’t think they’re bad ones. Um so that’s a positive for Chelsea fans.”
A positive indeed. Of all Chelsea’s tested pairings, this one really looked like a strong solution.
Ornstein not seeing a January addition for Chelsea at centre-back
Despite their apparent lack of options, Ornstein isn’t predicting a January signing. According to him, Chelsea believe they have enough depth to see out the season.
As he puts it: “You’ve got Chalobah returning from suspension. You have Fofana not far off being back from concussion, was it? So this season I’ve got every expectation that they’re well covered.”
They also know a promising young centre-back will be arriving in the summer, as Ornstein points out: “And of course, one of the players that came in was [Mamadou] Sarr, who then has gone to Strasbourg and then who would be coming into Chelsea presumably next summer. And therefore, I don’t think that’s an area of focus for them heading towards January.”
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Whether that decision comes back to haunt Maresca later in the season, it’s impossible to say. Chelsea have to fight on multiple fronts, and even one more serious injury could bury their hopes of a successful season.
But it would appear they are happy to roll the dice.