Benoit Badiashile has had a very tough 18 months at Chelsea overall.
He really impressed in his first few months after arriving last January, and was one of the few bright lights a year ago as we stumbled to the end of the campaign.
But the injury he picked up right at the end of the campaign ended has gone from a mere frustration to something much more serious.
That problem kept him out of preseason, and he’s been playing catch up ever since. He’s returned to action several times since, on each occasion struggling for form and fitness. His latest comeback, on Saturday, didn’t go much better.
But despite all that, the club are convinced of his ability in the long term, and aren’t looking to move him on at all. That’s according to Fabrizio Romano, who has responded to rumours that Badiashile could be sold by claiming the club are “currently not planning” for an “exit” for the defender.
Chelsea are currently not planning for Benoit Badiashile exit in the summer.
Chalobah could be on the move, that is the expectation; no plans on Badiashile so far.
Chelsea already rejected approaches from Italian clubs for Badiashile last January. pic.twitter.com/kYGIJQ1Kes
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 1, 2024
Interestingly, he adds that multiple approaches from Italian clubs, reportedly including AC Milan, were rejected in January.
Badiashile seems to have a higher ceiling than Trevoh Chalobah (who will be sold in the summer) and Axel Disasi.
The plan of the sporting directors seems to hope that Levi Colwill and Badiashile will both fulfill their potential as classy ball playing central defenders.
We can certainly see the promise, and we’d be mad to sell low on him at this point. But we’re going to have to see significant improvements if we’re to be convinced he’s back on track.