Chelsea defender Benoit Badiashile set to miss start of next season

Chelsea defender Benoit Badiashile is set to miss the beginning of the 2023/24 campaign with a groin injury.

The France international was absent for the Blues’ 1-0 defeat against Manchester City on Sunday, and is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

According to The Evening Standard, Badiashile is expected to be out for up to four months, having picked up the groin problem in training.

It is certainly a blow for incoming boss Mauricio Pochettino, who is set to be announced as the club’s new manager.

Badiashile joined Chelsea in a £35million deal from Monaco back in January.

The 22-year-old made an instant impact at Stamford Bridge, and was expected play a key role next season.

Badiashile was left out of Chelsea’s Champions League squad, with interim boss Frank Lampard preferring Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana.

The Frenchman now joins Mason Mount, Reece James, N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Ben Chilwell on the treatment table.

His injury, though, could present an opportunity for Levi Colwill, who has impressed on loan at Brighton this campaign.

The 20-year-old is thought to be impressing Pochettino, with the left-footed centre-back also eyeing an England call-up.

Colwill has previously been a target for Manchester City, Liverpool, and Brighton, but it is unlikely the highly-rated defender will leave.

Chelsea are currently 12th in the Premier League with 43 points, and face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Thursday, before finishing the season at home to Newcastle.