Chelsea return after the international break this afternoon when they host Burnley at Stamford Bridge. So, who will make Mauricio Pochettino’s starting line-up on Saturday?
The Blues welcome Burnley this weekend for a Premier League match, winning the reverse fixture earlier in the season 4-1 at Turf Moor.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side will know their current position of 11th in the league table isn’t good enough with supporters, but there’s still enough time to turn things around and finish in the European spots if they find consistency from now until the end of the season.
Burnley manager Vincent Kompany has talked up the quality of Chelsea’s young side this week before the game via BBC Sport. We must be aware the Clarets still pose a big threat despite the fact they’re 19th, too.
Table of Contents
Chelsea fans agree on defensive decision
A selection of Chelsea supporters on social media believe that Benoit Badiashile should be promoted into the starting XI on Saturday versus Burnley.
The £35 million defender (Sky Sports) hasn’t played for Chelsea since 7 February because of a groin injury, but he was back on the bench for the FA Cup win over Leicester City this month just before the international break.
Badiashile, 23, is a towering centre-back who’s only played 12 games across all competitions so far this season.
MORE CHELSEA STORIES
Here are some Blues fans on X urging Pochettino to start the French central defender today:
One fan said: “Give me Badiashile.”
Another claimed: “Badiashile obviously. We need to reintegrate him asap.”
A third wrote: “Hope Badiashile starts.”
Another posted: “Badiashile deserves a chance, we’re gonna need height and [Thiago] Silva is too slow for build up against a low block.”
A fifth supporter shared: “Prepare the future. Give Badiashille a chance!”
Another said: “It’s time to return to the starting lineup! People can’t discount this man’s talent.”
Benoit Badiashile has point to prove
We understand Badiashile’s had a stop-start campaign that can’t have helped, but our general feeling is he’s looked below par in the matches he’s played.
It could be a good idea to recall him alongside Axel Disasi in the heart of the Blues defence. Alternatively, veteran Thiago Silva is another option to play.
TVPlay reported last month that Chelsea boss Pochettinio has little faith in Badiashile amid interest from AC Milan. Can he tun tha around from now until the end of the season?
