Jamie Redknapp believes Benoit Badiashile wasn’t happy with where he was playing in Chelsea’s win against Tottenham on Sunday.
The Blues came from 2-0 down to win 4-3 and make it four consecutive wins in the league and move just four points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
Jadon Sancho halved the deficit with a really well taken goal, before Chelsea completed the turnaround in the second half thanks to two penalties from Cole Palmer and a third goal in four games for Enzo Fernandez
Redknapp feels Badiashile wasn’t happy against Tottenham
Having made seven changes for the trip to Southampton on Wednesday night, Maresca reverted to the team which beat Aston Villa.
The only change was Badiashile coming in to replace the injured Fofana, and the Frenchman slotted in alongside Levi Colwill.
The 23-year-old was starting just his second league game of the season, with his only previous start coming in last month’s win against Leicester.
Benoit Badiashile battles Dejan Kulusevski for the ball. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Badiashile started just his third league game of the season against Tottenham. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Maresca deployed Badaishile on the right side of defence and the France international didn’t look comfortable trying to play on his weaker side, especially in the first half, something Redknapp noticed.
“Spurs started the game so well,” he told Sky Sports.
“You know, they came out the blocks flying. It was a great piece of movement by [Dominic] Solanke, Badiashile didn’t look happy on the right-hand side and he [Maresca] changed it there.”
Maresca clearly noticed as well as he switched Badiashile and Colwill over at half time and introduced Malo Gusto for Romeo Lavia with Moises Caicedo moving into midfield.
Badiashile looked much more comfortable in the second half and it will be interesting to see if he keep his place for Sunday’s game against Brentford.
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Martin Keown doing punditry work.
Cole Palmer after scoring a screamer against Aston Villa. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
The former Monaco man has found himself out of favour for most of this season and has been linked with moves away from the club.
The Blues are said to still believe in Badiashile and put out a briefing last month stating he wasn’t for sale and it will be interesting to see how his situation develops over the course of the season.