Chelsea suffer another defensive blow and Benoit Badiashile is ruled out of the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool

Chelsea have suffered another injury blow with Benoit Badiashile ruled out of the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool later this month.

The defender was forced off with a groin injury in the FA Cup fourth round win against Aston Villa last week.

And scans have now revealed the Frenchman is set for another spell on the sidelines which will rule him out for a month.

That will see the former Monaco star miss the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on February 25.

Speaking about the centre-back last week, Mauricio Pochettino said: “Badiashile we have to evaluate him and wait for the scan.

“Groin. I hope it's not a big problem. We need to evaluate now and we'll know better later.”

It is not the first serious injury that Chelsea has suffered this season, nor even the first for Badiashile.

The 22-year-old did not start a Premier League match this season until November 25 after hamstring and groin injuries ruined the start of the campaign.

Joining him on the bench for significant time were club captain Reece James, who has made just nine appearances this season, and Wesley Fofana, who suffered a second ACL tear this year.

In total, Chelsea are missing seven players, all of whom will miss the Carabao Cup final this month.

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In addition to Badiashile, James and Fofana, the Blues will be without Marc Cucurella, Robert Sanchez, Romeo Lavia and Lesley Ugochukwu.

Injuries have plagued Stamford Bridge all season and have had a serious effect on Pochettino's side.

Chelsea have had a miserable campaign to date and find themselves in the bottom half of the table after 23 games.

However, winning the silver medal would be a huge positive in a disappointing season with the Carabao Cup in its sights.

However, they will have to face a rampaging Liverpool side, who are top of the Premier League and recently thrashed the Blues 4-1 at Anfield.

It will also be a repeat of the 2022 Carabao Cup final, in which Jurgen Klopp's team emerged victorious on penalties.