New Chelsea signing Benoit Badiashile explains what he offers to the team and why his play style suits Graham Potter’s system.
The 22-year-old joined Chelsea from AS Monaco for a reported fee of £35million and signed a long-term seven-and-a-half-year contract with the club.
Badiashile is the second Chelsea signing this month following young striker David Datro Fofana who arrived from Norwegian club Molde.
Unlike Fofana, however, it is clear that the defender will spend the second half of the season in the Chelsea first-team squad.
Despite his young age, Badiashile has already had significant experience in senior football after playing regular football at Monaco in the last five seasons.
He is also confident that he is the right fit for the club.
“I look to try to bring composure, vitality, calmness, and other attributes to the club to win trophies at this magnificent club,” the France international told Chelsea TV.
“On the pitch, I am very composed with the ball.
“I like to take the ball up the pitch, break down the lines of play, and keep possession.
“This manager is someone that likes to keep possession and likes the team to move the ball up the pitch.
“I think this is a philosophy that suits me well, and I’m very proud to be able to work with him.”
Badiashile completed almost four long balls per game at Monaco this season, the most at the club.
Thiago Silva unsurprisingly records the highest at Chelsea in this area, with 5.4 successful long balls per game.
The French defender also averages 3.55 progressive passes per 90 minutes (via FBref) this season, which is slightly above Chelsea’s best this season, Mason Mount (3.33 per 90).
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