Chelsea are on course to be handed a selection boost ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup quarter-final clash against Port Vale.
The Blues will be heavy favourites to beat the League One side at Stamford Bridge and progress to the semi-finals of another domestic cup competition this season.
However, Chelsea have lost their last four games in a row in all competitions, failing to score a single goal in three of them and defeat at Everton before the international break has dented hopes of a top-four finish.
Among a host of defensive absentees at the Hill Dickinson Stadium was Benoit Badiashile. The Frenchman had also missed the last-16 Champions League second leg loss to Paris Saint-Germain four days earlier with Liam Rosenior confirming this was due to illness.
"Benoit pulled out late today with illness - this is what football is about,” Rosenior said.
“Sometimes it throws these things up."
In a selection boost for Rosenior, Chelsea have confirmed that Badiashile was in full training as he took part in a session at Cobham on Monday alongside the likes of Estevao, Romeo Lavia and Wesley Fofana.
As a result of many senior players being away on international duty, it was a reduced squad that was present, though many will begin to filter back from Tuesday onwards.
Cobham calling. 📞 pic.twitter.com/udF7MYrafi
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 30, 2026
Badiashile has featured in two of Chelsea’s three FA Cup ties so far this season, playing 90 minutes in the third round win over Hull City and then 120 minutes as the Blues required extra-time to beat ten-man Wrexham in round five.
With Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah and Levi Colwill all expected to miss the Port Vale clash, having Badiashile back in contention is certainly welcome news for Rosenior.
Badiashile, a left-footer, could replace Jorrel Hato in the backline on Saturday, perhaps resuming his partnership with Tosin Adarabioyo and Mamadou Sarr in a back three if the Chelsea manager opts to change his system again.
