Martin Keown questions decision to leave Benoit Badiashile out of Chelsea’s Champions League squad

Benoit Badiashile is yet to concede a goal for Chelsea (Photo: Getty)

Arsenal legend Martin Keown can’t understand why Benoit Badiashile was not included in Chelsea’s Champions League squad.

Last week, Graham Potter confirmed his 25-man list for the UCL knockout stage, with Chelsea set to take on Borussia Dortmund in the round of 16 next Wednesday.

UEFA’s rules meant that only three of the Blues’ eight January signings could be included in the new squad, with Potter electing to choose record signing Enzo Fernandez, and exciting attacking duo Mkyhailo Mudryk and Joao Felix.

Given how Chelsea’s main problem of late has been their lack of goals, this decision is somewhat understandable, but Badiashile’s will also be disappointing given his great form since arriving from Monaco for £34million.

After three games, the centre-back is yet to concede a goal for his new club, helping them pick up five points against Crystal Palace, Liverpool and Fulham.

Discussing Chelsea’s performance in their goalless draw with the Cottagers last Friday, Keown spoke highly of the 21-year-old France international and expressed his confusion at his omission from the Champions League.

‘[Mudryk] wasn’t really in the game. [Noni] Madueke then came on. Lots of flashes, lots of good moments, but [wasn’t] really impacting the game too much,’ Keown said on talkSPORT.

Martin Keown has been impressed with Badiashile so far (Photo: Getty)

‘The central defender, Badiashile, actually was probably the best player I saw among [Chelsea’s recent] purchases.

‘The central defender that we’ve talked about being such a good player is not even listed in the Champions League group.

‘How does that really work out? Who made that decision?’

More: Chelsea FC

The Champions League is the only trophy Chelsea can realistically win this season, having been already knocked out of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, and with the Blues 10 points off the Premier League top, winning it could be their only route to qualifying for the competition next season.

In Badiashile’s absence, the centre-backs at Potter’s disposal are Thiago Silva, Trevoh Chalobah, Kalidou Koulibaly and Wesley Fofana.

The decision to leave Badiashile out could really come back to haunt the under pressure manager, given that Koulibaly and Fofana have struggled a lot for form and fitness since moving to Stamford Bridge last summer.

MORE : Dwight Yorke tells Manchester United stars Scott McTominay and Fred to ‘stand up and earn their money’

MORE : Real Madrid legend turns down Leeds after Jesse Marsch sacking

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.