Chelsea injury news: Double boost for Enzo Maresca ahead of Premier League return

Chelsea have seemingly receive a major boost ahead of their return to action after the international break.

The Blues have started the campaign by collecting seven points from three Premier League fixtures against Crystal Palace, West Ham United and Fulham.

However, those games have been far from plain-sailing for various reasons, Cole Palmer missing the latter two with a groin issue.

Furthermore, the likes of Benoit Badiashile and Romeo Lavia are yet to come into contention due to injuries sustained at the Club World Cup.

Nevertheless, as per photos released on the Chelsea app, two of the aforementioned trio are closing on a return

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Which Chelsea players are back in training?

Chelsea showed pictures of each of Badiashile and Lavia participating in training among their teammates on Monday.

Although there was no sign of Palmer, Enzo Maresca will be delighted to have Badiashile and Lavia making significant progress in their efforts to make their first appearances of the season.

Badiashile has not featured since the Club World Cup last-16 tie against Benfica at the end of June, while Lavia's last competitive outing was also in that game.

Neither player will be rushed back into the fold, even with Chelsea starting a hectic period of games with a London derby against Brentford on September 13.

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Why Maresca wants Badiashile, Lavia back

In the case of Badiashile, he is viewed as the natural alternative to fellow left-sided centre-back Levi Colwill, who could miss the entire season with a serious knee injury.

Even with several other centre-backs at his disposal, Maresca may turn to Badiashile for a greater balance to his backline.

Meanwhile, Lavia is highly-rated by Maresca to the extent where the Belgian may start alongside Moises Caicedo rather than Enzo Fernandez in the two most defensive-minded midfield roles when everyone is fit.

Andrey Santos has also come into the equation, yet Chelsea have produced some of their best performances under Maresca when Lavia is in the team.