‘Disaster’… Stuart Pearce claims 22-year-old Chelsea player was appalling in Newcastle win

Add as preferred source on Google

Stuart Pearce reflected on a really poor performance from Chelsea’s Benoit Badiashile during last night’s home win against Newcastle United.

The Blues fans inside Stamford Bridge went through a rollercoaster versus Newcastle.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side were victorious on Tuesday evening in the Carabao Cup quarter-final tie.

Callum Wilson scored Newcastle’s opening goal in the 16th minute, capitalising on some comical defending from the hosts before slotting in a calm finish. However, Mykhailo Mudryk equalised in stoppage time during the final stages to send the game to penalties.

Eventually, Chelsea beat Newcastle 4-2 during the penalty shootout to book their spot in the semi-finals.

Stuart Pearce not impressed

TalkSPORT pundit Stuart Pearce thought Benoit Badiashile was appalling during Chelsea’s match against Newcastle, particularly his opening 45 minutes.

The 22-year-old defender cost his side when he sloppily lost possession and gifted Wilson his first-half goal. Blues teammates Levi Colwill and Thiago Silva didn’t cover themselves in glory either.

In addition, the left-footed centre-back was so clumsy on and off the ball in the cup fixture.

“Badiashile, I have no idea what you’re trying to achieve young man. He is so loose,” Pearce told talkSPORT (8:37pm, 19 December).

He later added (8:48pm): “Badiashile has been a disaster in the first half, as well as costing Chelsea a goal there have been a couple of other incidents.”

Benoit Badiashile against Newcastle

Chelsea’s defence wasn’t overly stretched during a match they dominated in midweek, but they fumbled their lines for Wilson’s goal.

Badiashile will be reflecting after probably the worst half we’ve seen from him in the club’s colours.

The left-footed centre-half is usually calm and reliable, but you wouldn’t associate him with those words yesterday evening.

Thankfully, his teammates bailed him out to overcome Newcastle via penalties. He was a lot more assured in the second-half, too.

Journalist Fraser Fletcher recently reported via X that Badiashile is not for sale and is highly rated at Chelsea. We’ll be keeping a close eye on him in the hope he rekindles his best form.