Rio Ferdinand has sent a clear message to Chelsea star Benoit Badiashile following the Blues' Champions League exit. The young French defender has missed Chelsea's four knockout games as he was one of the unfortunate four new signings to miss out on being named in the Champions League squad that was resubmitted ahead of the last-16.
Following his January arrival, Badiashile quickly cemented a place in the Chelsea backline alongside Thiago Silva. That consistent run with him helped the Blues keep three clean sheets across six successive Premier League starts. However, the return of the Champions League and injury comeback of Wesley Fofana halted his run of appearances.
Kalidou Koulibaly also shot up in the pecking order after his two displays in the Champions League last-16 tie against Borussia Dortmund. Badiashile started the two home games against Everton and Leeds last month but appearances since then have been scarce.
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With no chance of him featuring against Madrid, Badiashile started the league game against Brighton in between the two legs. Trevoh Chalobah came in for the injured Koulibaly in the Champions League second leg with Ben Chilwell's suspension pushing Marc Cucurella to wing-back.
Koulibaly's absence through injury was short-term which could see him back for Chelsea's next game against Brentford on Wednesday, April 26. Chilwell will also be available which presents Frank Lampard with a tough defensive decision especially as Fofana and Silva have nailed spots in the preferred back three.
To Ferdinand, the decision appears simple after he delivered his verdict on Badiashile which sent a clear message to the interim head coach. Speaking to BT Sport, Ferdinand said: “Badiashile is sitting there, a young centre-back who can’t get into the Champions League squad.
"He’s thinking, ‘I should be playing’. He’s probably sitting there looking at some of the players in front of him and going, ‘Hold on a minute, how have I been overlooked here?'”
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