‘So happy’: Mauricio Pochettino left delighted with £35m Chelsea player against Blackburn

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Mauricio Pochettino expressed his delight for Chelsea’s Benoit Badiashile after his first performance of the season last night.

Benoit Badiashile, 22, has missed the first few months of the campaign with a hamstring injury.

However, the French defender played and started yesterday in the Carabao Cup.

The Blues beat Championship side Blackburn Rovers 2-0 at Stamford Bridge in the Round of 16. Next, they host Newcastle United in December in the quarter-finals.

Chelsea boost

Blue head coach Mauricio Pochettino got an hour into the tank of Badiashile before substituting him off, the smart decision after his injury absence.

The young centre-back opened the scoring with a clinical left-footed finish inside the box. He looked composed and strong in defence, too.

When discussing Badiashile’s midweek display, Pochettino said via Chelsea’s official website: “To play and score in your first game [of the season] is important. I’m so happy for him. I think he did really well.”

Benoit Badiashile the sleeping giant

You could put question marks against most of the signings made under this ownership at Chelsea, but Badiashile is one of the rare exceptions that has been a big success. His £35million signing (BBC) could prove to be a serious bargain later down the line.

The 22-year-old star already looks like such a mature and calm defender in the backline.

There’s certainly plenty of competition for places in the heart of Chelsea’s defence this term, but we won’t be surprised to Badiashile come out on top by the time the year ends.

The towering 6ft 4in centre-half brings such an authority at the back.

Journalist Simon Phillips shared via X that Chelsea’s home crowd loudly cheered on Badiashile against Blackburn with his popular chant. It’s easy to see why the defender’s quickly become a real fan favourite after just 11 months in west London.

Chelsea’s next match is a tough trip across London to face in-form Tottenham in the Premier League. We’re so intrigued to see the personnel that starts in the Blues back four next Monday night.

Our guess is that Badiashile will be on the bench again as he’s eased back on, but there’s an international break just around the corner to allow him extra time to get back to full speed.