Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has heaped praise on an “important” member of the squad following his return from injury.

Chelsea face Premier League title rivals Liverpool amid selection crisis

The Blues have endured a pretty underwhelming start to the 2025/2026 campaign, and it doesn’t get any easier as Maresca’s side prepare to host Premier League champions Liverpool this afternoon.

Maresca, after winning the Conference League, Club World Cup and qualifying for the Champions League last season, has been tasked with building upon 2024/2025’s feats with over £280 million spent on new recruits in the summer window.

Liverpool

£415,000,000

£187,000,000

£228,000,000

Chelsea

£285,000,000

£288,000,000

-£3,000,000

Arsenal

£255,000,000

£9,000,000

£246,000,000

Newcastle

£250,000,000

£152,000,000

£98,000,000

Man Utd

£216,000,000

£68,000,000

£148,000,000

Nottm Forest

£205,000,000

£107,000,000

£98,000,000

Tottenham

£181,000,000

£36,000,000

£145,000,000

Sunderland

£162,000,000

£44,000,000

£118,000,000

Man City

£152,000,000

£53,000,000

£99,000,000

West Ham

£124,000,000

£55,000,000

£69,000,000

via BBC

However, he is also forced to lean on a roster full of youth and a starting eleven boasting an average age of just 24.1 (BBC), with injuries crippling the tactician so far.

As October arrives, Chelsea’s absentee list includes Liam Delap, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Dario Essugo, Andrey Santos, Trevoh Chalobah and star forward Cole Palmer — who are all set to miss today’s clash with Arne Slot’s side at Stamford Bridge.

Fofana and Tosin are not expected to return until after the international break, with the former undergoing concussion protocol, while Chalobah is serving a one-match suspension after his red card against Brighton last weekend.

Colwill is set to miss the majority of this season after rupturing his ACL in pre-season too — leaving Maresca absolutely bereft of centre-backs to choose from against Liverpool — with it being most likely that Benoit Badiashile and Jorrel Hato are given the starting nod.

Badiashile has only just returned from injury himself, starting his first game of the season in a 1-0 Champions League win over José Mourinho’s Benfica on Tuesday, and the Frenchman impressed.

Reports suggest that Chelsea insiders have pushed Badiashile’s case behind-the-scenes as a capable deputy to come in and play a significant role, despite being linked with a move away last summer.

The 24-year-old’s presence, amid Chelsea’s serious defensive shortage, now looks more imperative than ever, with Badiashile refusing a move away in the last window and declaring his love for the West Londoners.

The former Monaco star’s loyalty is being repaid by Maresca, who piled praise on Badiashile in his pre-Liverpool press conference.

Enzo Maresca praises Benoit Badiashile return as "good news" for Chelsea

Speaking to reporters, Chelsea’s boss confirmed that Badiashile is in fact an “important” player for them, and his return to the fold is “good news” ahead of their challenging face-off against England’s champions.

Unfortunately for Badiashile, his place in the starting eleven is under threat long-term.

According to reports, Chelsea and Maresca are in agreement that the signing of a star centre-back takes “priority” for January.

Meanwhile, it is also believed that Chelsea have reached out to Marc Guehi’s camp this week and could attempt to re-sign the Crystal Palace star for a cut-price fee in the winter.