Mauricio Pochettino forced into making a change in latest Chelsea team news ahead of Crystal Palace

Impressive French defender Benoit Badiashile is racing against time to be fit for the game against Crystal Palace after being forced off late at Villa Park. Badiashile produced one of his best performances for Chelsea in the FA Cup win but appeared to be struggling with his groin late in the game. 

The towering centre-back is highly rated at Chelsea and is seen as a rising star in French football, but he's struggled with fitness in the last six months. He missed the end of last season and the start of this campaign due to a hamstring problem but when he's played, it's clear to see why Chelsea paid £35million to snap him up from Monaco. 

There would be no reason for Pochettino to leave out one of his top performers from their sterling display against a very good Aston Villa side, but the Chelsea boss could be forced into it with Badiashile still not fully training. 

Chelsea don't play until Monday night which could give him an extra 48 hours to recover, but LondonWorld sources say that is highly unlikely as of Friday morning. 

The 22-year-old defender recently got massive praise from former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas who described him as the best young ball-playing centre-back in Europe. He told Sky Sports: “I played with [Axel] Disasi and Badiashile, Badiashile is one of the best ball-playing centre-backs in all the young players in Europe.”

Chelsea take on frigile Eagles

Chelsea have a unique opportunity to build momentum going into the League Cup final with Crystal Palace desperately out of form. The south London club will also be without three of their most important players Marc Guehi, Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze. 

Manager Roy Hodgson confirmed the blow ahead of the game: "We have lost all three of them - It's a massive blow and another element of incredible bad luck."

The Eagles have won just two of their last 14 league games and need a lift with manager Hodgson under increased pressure recently.