Chelsea dealt major BLOW ahead of Carabao Cup final as key player set to miss Liverpool clash

READ ALSO: Man United fans caught Varane’s sneaky move towards Douglas Luiz after McTominay’s winning goal [Video]

This unfortunate development deals a significant blow to Mauricio Pochettino’s plans, especially considering Badiashile’s consistent presence in the starting lineup since his return from a prior muscle injury back in November.

Chelsea’s Benoit Badiashile is set to miss the Carabao Cup Final through injuryCredit: Reuters

Recall also that Thiago Silva was dropped for the successful trip to Villa Park as the Argentinian tactician opted for a defensive partnership of Axel Disasi and Badiashile. Pochettino had hoped the issue wasn’t going to be too serious, he said: “Badiashile we need to assess and wait for the scan.

“Levi Colwill, we need to wait for Sunday to see if he’s available. Chalobah is doing well, he’s training with the team. Groin. I hope it’s not a big issue. We need to assess now and after we will know better.”

While there are concerns over the fitness of the Frenchman, Levi Colwill is set to be in contention to face Palace as he eyes a return from a hamstring injury. The Cobham academy graduate missed the last four matches through injury and could partner Disasi.

A return is also in sight for Trevoh Chalobah as he is closing in on a return to training following a thigh injury. Wesley Fofana, Reece James and Marc Cucurella remain sidelined as Pochettino continues to deal with injury woes at the back.

Chelsea will be looking to return to winning ways in the Premier League, after their triumph in their FA Cup replay with Villa. They have suffered back-to-back defeats in the top-flight to Liverpool and Wolves, with their last win coming in their 1-0 win over Fulham at Stamford Bridge.

Badiashile will hope to have returned to training by the time Chelsea head to Brentford on March 2 and he could be back for the home game with Newcastle on March 11.

The centre-back joined the Blues from Monaco for £35m in January 2023.

He penned a seven-and-a-half year contract upon his arrival at Stamford Bridge but he has struggled for minutes this term due to injury problems.

That led to speculation that Lyon were looking to bring him back to Ligue 1 last month but the Blues decided to keep him.

But Badiashile partnered Axel Disasi at centre-half against Villa after Thiago Silva was dropped and the pair impressed together.

Now any hopes of them forming a long-term partnership will have to take a back seat until he returns from injury.

Meanwhile, fellow defender Levi Colwill has provided a boost to Pochettino after he was given the green light for the game at Palace.

And Trevoh Chalobah, who is yet to play this season due to a thigh problem, is nearing a comeback and has returned to training.