Frank Leboeuf praises £35m Chelsea player for having ‘great game’ against Leicester

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Enzo Maresca had to make some changes to his defence for Chelsea’s 2-1 win against Leicester City over the weekend.

With both Reece James and Malo Gusto unavailable for the match, Enzo Maresca had to start Wesley Fofana at right-back.

It saw Benoit Badiashile make a rare start in central defence, with the 23-year-old currently behind Fofana and Levi Colwill in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.

Badiashile’s lack of game time this season shows the depth of Chelsea’s squad, though Maresca clearly has an issue at right-back. Following his latest injury, it has been claimed that James could leave Chelsea next summer.

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Frank Leboeuf impressed with Benoit Badiashile

That was definitely one of Badiashile’s better performances in a Chelsea shirt.

The Frenchman, whom Chelsea signed from AS Monaco for £35m in 2023, showed real aggression at the King Power Stadium. He took the initiative, often coming out of his backline to put pressure on whoever was near him with the ball.

It was a display that did not go unnoticed, with Frank Leboeuf suggesting that Badiashile and his teammates were perfect on the day.

“Everybody was spot on,” the Chelsea legend said on ESPN. “Badiashile had a great game as well. I think that was something to mention with Colwill at the back.”

Could Benoit Badiashile leave Chelsea in January?

You could not blame Badiashile if he wanted to depart Chelsea in the new year. His start against Leicester was his first in the Premier League this season.

Maresca quite clearly rates Colwill and Fofana above him, meaning that he is unlikely to rack up minutes in the top flight.

Even so, it does not look like Badiashile will be leaving Chelsea in the January transfer window. Despite the France international not being a key player, the club seem determined to keep hold of him.

Chelsea’s currant stance on Badiashile is that the former Monaco man is not for sale. And after Saturday’s game, you can see why.

If anything happens to Colwill, for example, then he is the most likely candidate to come in and fill in for him.