Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile will not feature for Chelsea again when they take on Brentford today in the Premier League. The duo are yet to play this season because of injury problems.
The Blues head to Brentford looking to continue their unbeaten start to the season, ahead of a run of four consecutive away games in three different competitions.
With a trip to Germany to face Bayern Munich on Wednesday night in the Champions League, Maresca could shuffle the pack for the first time this season.
Chelsea have strengthened their squad this summer, and added quality in depth as well, but they’ve been hit with some injury problems early on. Liam Delap is sidelined until November with a hamstring injury, whilst Chelsea fear Dario Essugo could miss 12 weeks after undergoing surgery on a thigh injury.
Cole Palmer has returned to training in a huge boost, whilst Lavia and Badiashile were seen back in training this week in more good news for Maresca. With Essugo injured, keeping Lavia fit has taken on even more importance, whilst Badiashile is currently on schedule with his return.
However, according to a post on Fabrizio Romano X handle, the Italian Gaffer has confirmed that neither Romeo Lavia nor Badiashile will be taking part in the game against Brentford, although they are close to a return. The post reads:
Enzo Maresca: Romeo Lavia and Badiashile are not available for today.
Both are close, but not ready yet.
Lavia has struggled with injuries since joining Chelsea in 2023. He made just one Premier League appearance in his debut campaign with the club followed by 16 last season.
Badiashile, meanwhile, played 22 times in all competitions for the Blues last season and his injury has left Maresca even lighter on central defensive options following Levi Colwill’s injury.
The injuries are mounting up for Chelsea and Maresca, who is hoping the coming weeks will not affect his squad too much physically, with games coming thick and fast. The next 22 days presents an action-packed schedule for the Blues; with seven matches to be played in this period.
