Chelsea’s ongoing injury struggles have once again exposed how thin the squad is at centre-back — but there’s finally some good news for Enzo Maresca’s side.
With Levi Colwill ruled out for the entire season and Wesley Fofana still finding full fitness after another lengthy spell on the sidelines, the Blues’ backline has been stretched to its limits.
Jorrel Hato has stepped up admirably since his arrival, showing real maturity for a 19-year-old still adapting to the Premier League. Yet even his impressive performances haven’t been enough to bring real stability to a defence that has seen every possible pairing tested — and broken — by injury.
So when Benoît Badiashile and academy graduate Josh Acheampong looked solid together against Liverpool, Chelsea fans thought they might have finally found the answer. Unfortunately, both players were forced off before full-time, reigniting fears of yet another defensive crisis at Stamford Bridge.
Thankfully, respected journalist David Ornstein has delivered a dose of optimism. Speaking onThe Athletic’s podcast, Ornstein revealed that the injuries to both defenders are not believed to be serious.
“From what we’re hearing initially, Badiashile and Acheampong are not severe injuries,” Ornstein said. “There’s an international break now and another one coming up in November. I don’t know the durations, but I don’t think they’re bad ones. So that’s a positive for Chelsea fans.”
Positive news indeed — and much needed. The pair had looked calm and composed against Liverpool before being withdrawn, and their partnership could yet prove crucial to Maresca’s defensive plans once they’re fit again.
Chelsea Unlikely to Make January Centre-Back Signing
Despite the heavy injury toll, Ornstein doesn’t expect Chelsea to make another centre-back signing in January.
“You’ve got Chalobah returning from suspension, and Fofana not far off being back from concussion,” he explained. “So this season, I’ve got every expectation that they’re well covered.”
That confidence extends into the long term as well. Chelsea already have another young defender waiting in the wings — Mamadou Sarr, currently on loan at Strasbourg, who is expected to join up with the first-team squad next summer.
“One of the players that came in was [Mamadou] Sarr, who then went to Strasbourg,” Ornstein noted. “He’ll be coming into Chelsea next summer. So I don’t think that’s an area of focus for them heading towards January.”
Rolling the Dice for the Rest of the Season
It’s a bold call from the Chelsea hierarchy, especially with the club fighting on multiple fronts this season. One more setback in defence could seriously test the squad’s resilience — but for now, the Blues seem content to trust the players already in the building.
If Badiashile and Acheampong recover quickly and Fofana stays fit, Maresca might finally get the defensive balance he’s been searching for since taking charge.
For a team that’s already had its fair share of bad luck, the latest updates at least give Chelsea fans a reason to breathe a little easier.
