Chelsea have given an injury update ahead of their FA Cup clash with Leicester City on Sunday afternoon, revealing that Ben Chilwell and Benoît Badiashile could feature at Stamford Bridge. The Blues say on their official website that Chilwell and Badiashile are ‘in team training’.
Will Chilwell be fit enough to start?
Chilwell returned from a long-term hamstring injury in January and had been a regular at left-back. His last appearance for Chelsea came against Brentford on March 2 before suffering a knee problem. The 27-year-old played 90 minutes in the 2-2 draw but missed Chelsea’s 3-2 win over Newcastle United on March 11.
Chilwell should be fit enough to make the matchday squad, but it remains to be seen if he’ll start. Marc Cucurella is available to Mauricio Pochettino if the England international needs to be rested. Cucurella hasn’t long been back himself, spending two months out with an ankle injury.
The 25-year-old was an unused substitute against Brentford but played 90 minutes against Newcastle while Chilwell sat on the bench.
What’s the latest on Badiashile?
Badiashile has recently returned from a groin injury that kept him out for a month. The 23-year-old missed the Brentford draw and Newcastle win but could make the squad against Leicester. It’s unlikely he’ll be fit enough to start, so Pochettino might turn to Thiago Silva, Axel Disasi and Trevoh Chalobah.
Badiashile has made 13 appearances in all competitions, spending most of the season injured. Pochettino won’t want to rush him back and risk another setback, so the French international may have his minutes managed. Fans may see Chilwell and Badiashile in the squad against Leicester, but Pochettino need not start the pair.
The Chelsea manager has able replacements to deputise for the defensive duo. Chelsea say Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Romeo Lavia, Christopher Nkunku and Lesley Ugochukwu are ‘undergoing their rehabilitation programme’.
