Badiashile Injury Casts Shadow Over Chelsea’s Club World Cup Win Against Benfica

French defender’s crutches raise fresh doubts over Chelsea future amid Marseille links

Chelsea may have cruised past Benfica to advance in the Club World Cup, but the celebrations were tempered by a worrying sight: Benoît Badiashile on crutches. The French centre-back, whose future at Stamford Bridge has been under speculation for weeks, was forced off in the second half of the Blues’ 4-1 victory after picking up what now looks like a serious injury.

It’s a frustrating twist in what has already been an unpredictable season for Badiashile. Having fallen down the pecking order under new boss Enzo Maresca, the 23-year-old had surprisingly started both of Chelsea’s opening matches at the Club World Cup. But just when it seemed like he might be clawing his way back into the fold — or putting himself in the shop window for a summer move — he was dealt another blow.

Forced Off and Spotted on Crutches

Badiashile’s inclusion in Chelsea’s Club World Cup startin

The injury occurred in the 70th minute, with Badiashile clearly uncomfortable as he signalled to the bench. Moments later, he was substituted and immediately received treatment on the sidelines. That was worrying enough — but what followed was far more concerning.

When the teams returned to the pitch following a lengthy weather delay caused by a thunderstorm, Badiashile was seen on the touchline using crutches. While the club has yet to officially comment on the severity of the issue, the visual alone has raised alarm bells within the Chelsea fanbase and, potentially, at Olympique de Marseille — the club currently tipped to sign him.

A Timely Start Amid Transfer Talk

Badiashile’s inclusion in Chelsea’s Club World Cup starting XI came as a surprise to many. Having made only a handful of appearances last season due to injury setbacks and fierce competition at centre-back, he had been rumoured to be on his way out. Marseille were understood to be monitoring his situation closely, with negotiations reportedly progressing well ahead of a potential summer transfer.

It’s understood that Maresca rates other centre-backs at the club more highly — Levi Colwill and new signing Tosin Adarabioyo seem to be locked in as the preferred pairing, with Trevoh Chalobah also in the mix and Wesley Fofana expected to return from long-term injury later this year. That has left Badiashile somewhat on the fringes, and his potential exit looked increasingly likely.

But with the Club World Cup providing a rare platform for rotation and experimentation, Maresca turned to Badiashile — and to his credit, the Frenchman responded with solid performances. In both matches, he looked composed, commanding, and tactically disciplined. It was, for all intents and purposes, the kind of audition he needed to attract suitors or change his manager’s mind. And then came the injury.

Benfica Push Chelsea to the Brink

The match itself was anything but straightforward. Chelsea looked in control for much of the contest, yet Benfica showed resilience and refused to roll over. Veteran Argentine Ángel Di María — who had been largely quiet for most of the match — popped up in the 95th minute to lash in an equaliser, forcing extra time.

The game had already been disrupted by a lengthy storm delay, adding to the dramatic tension. But rather than collapse under the weight of the moment, Chelsea came alive in extra time, scoring three goals to seal a 4-1 victory and progress to the quarter-finals.

While Maresca will be delighted with the team’s fightback, the injury to Badiashile will no doubt be one of the first things on his mind as the squad prepares for its next fixture.

What’s Next for Chelsea and Badiashile?

Chelsea’s reward for their win is a quarter-final clash against Palmeiras, one of South America’s most formidable sides. The Brazilian giants will offer a very different kind of test — intense, physical, and tactically sharp. Whether Maresca rotates his backline again remains to be seen, but Badiashile is almost certainly out of contention.

More worryingly for both the player and the club, his potential transfer could now be in jeopardy. Marseille had reportedly been ready to act quickly to secure the defender, but an injury of unknown severity is bound to cause hesitation. No club wants to invest in a player whose fitness is uncertain — especially not in a condensed summer window with pre-season looming.

That puts Badiashile in a frustrating limbo. If he stays injured through July and into August, it could derail not only his chances of a move but also his shot at forcing his way back into Maresca’s long-term plans.

A Player Caught Between Two Worlds

It’s a cruel irony that Badiashile’s Chelsea journey has been defined by timing — and mostly poor timing at that. Signed from Monaco with high expectations, he arrived in January 2023 as part of a major squad overhaul. His early performances showed promise, but injuries, instability, and managerial changes limited his opportunities.

This latest setback feels like more of the same. He was finally back in the starting XI, showing glimpses of the player Chelsea thought they had signed — and now, another injury potentially derails all of it. Whether it was an awkward landing, a muscular strain, or something more serious, the timing couldn’t be worse.

Chelsea’s Defensive Conundrum

With the Premier League season just around the corner and several competitions to juggle — including a full Club World Cup campaign — Maresca will need clarity in defence. Colwill and Adarabioyo look like the preferred duo, while Chalobah remains a flexible option across the backline. If Fofana returns fit, Badiashile might have been surplus to requirements even without the injury.

Now, the club faces a dilemma: Do they keep Badiashile and hope for a recovery and resurgence, or push ahead with plans to move him on — even if that means loaning him out once fit again?

Whatever happens next, it’s a blow for both the player and the club. Badiashile is a talented defender whose career at Stamford Bridge hasn’t yet taken off the way many expected. This injury might not be the end of his Chelsea story, but it certainly feels like a pause — and one that leaves everyone with more questions than answers.