The Frenchman started his first game of the season against Benfica on Tuesday evening and impressed in the heart of defence, registering a game-high ten ball recoveries and looking assured in possession as we earned a clean sheet.

Maresca described Badiashile's display as ‘very, very good’ and at his pre-match press conference at Cobham this morning ahead of the clash with Liverpool, the head coach underlined just how central the 24-year-old is to his plans.

‘Since I joined the club, every time I have spoken about Benoit I’ve always said he’s an important player and a very good player,’ Maresca said.

‘Unfortunately, he’s been injured a few times since I joined the club, but before the last one he was almost playing every game at the Club World Cup. Then got injured against Benfica.

‘Now he is back and that’s good news for us, his team-mates and especially for him, because when you are out for a long period it’s always a shame.’

The clean sheet kept against Benfica was our first of September – and the first since the Blues' most recent Premier League shutout, which came against Fulham on 30 August.

It will be no easy feat securing another with Liverpool in town, but Maresca noted our improvements at the back last season. It is something he aspires to maintain as the current campaign develops.

‘It’s about continuing to evolve,' he said. 'Our defensive line was very good last year. In terms of goals conceded, we were after Liverpool and Arsenal, so it showed we did something important, but it’s not enough.

‘You always have to try to evolve, to try to add things, and to try to do better. Now, we are trying to do exactly the same.’