Chelsea have completed the signing of Monaco midfielder Benoit Badiashile.
A £35 million fee is paid by the club to bring in the center-back.
He arrives at the Blues having just signed a seven and a half year deal that will keep him in West London for the ensuing ten years.
“I’m very happy to be here at Chelsea,” Badiashile remarked to the club’s official website.
“I’m so excited to start playing for this club. I can’t wait to see the fans and start playing in the best league in the world.”
Behdad Eghbali, the company’s controlling co-owner, and chairman Todd Boehly said: “We’re delighted to welcome Benoit to Chelsea.”
“He’s an excellent young player who has quickly established a strong reputation for himself and has a huge amount of experience for his young age.”
“We are sure he will form an important part of our team in the years ahead.”
Graham Potter, the manager, wanted to strengthen his defensive line because Wesley Fofana, a high-profile summer acquisition, had limited playing time due to an injury.
In addition, Kalidou Koulibaly has had trouble regularly hitting his best form, and 38-year-old Thiago Silva is getting older.
The 21-year-old Badiashile progressed through Monaco’s youth ranks.
He has since earned two caps for France’s national team, and he frequently serves as captain of his country’s Under-21 team.
He has performed admirably for Monaco this year, helping the club advance to the Europa League’s knockout stages, while Philippe Clement’s team is currently sixth in Ligue 1.
This season, Badiashile has appeared in 16 games for the team and scored two goals.
Chelsea has already acquired a second player in the January transfer window, following the £10.6 million acquisition of striker David Datro Fofana from Molde.
How can Chelsea line up with the new defender
Under Potter, Kepa Arrizabalaga, the most expensive goalkeeper in the world, has replaced Edouard Mendy as the primary goalkeeper.
Reece James and Ben Chilwell are still Stamford Bridge’s first-choice full-back partnership despite rarely being fit enough to start many games together.
Due to Wesley Fofana’s injury issues and Kalidou Koulibaly’s disappointing performance, Badiashile will partner Thiago Silva in the center of defense.
N’Golo Kante, another player who is out of shape, will start in midfield alongside Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho.
Unless the Blues beat Arsenal to the signing of Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhailo Mudryk, Raheem Sterling will continue to play on the right side and Christian Pulisic on the left.
Since Armando Broja is sidelined and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is having a bad start, Kai Havertz will be the line’s forward.
Benoit Badiashile
Benoit Ntambue Badiashile Mukinayi Baya is a French professional football player who competes for both the France national team and Premier League club Chelsea. He was born on March 26, 2001.
On February 5, 2018, Monaco and Badiashile agreed to his first professional deal.
He made his professional debut against Paris Saint-Germain on November 11, 2018, in a 4-0 Ligue 1 loss.
Chelsea, a Premier League team, confirmed on January 5, 2023 that it has acquired Badiashile from Monaco on a seven-and-a-half-year deal for a reported fee of £32.7 million.
Badiashile is of Congolese heritage and was born in France. His participation in several U16-U21 teams since 2016 has earned him a spot on the France young national team.
Badiashile’s first call-up to the France national team came on September 15, 2022, for two UEFA Nations League games against Austria and Denmark.
