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‘I don’t know’: Club manager admits he has no idea if his player will stay after reports Chelsea want him

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Monaco manager Phillipe Clement has claimed to Get Football News France that he is unsure whether defender Benoit Badiashile will remain at his club in January.

The 21-year-old has been strongly linked with a move to Chelsea next month.

Last night, the Ligue 1 side returned to league action with a 3-2 victory over Auxerre. Their team selection saw Badiashile left on the bench for the duration.

Lille OSC v AS Monaco - Ligue 1
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He was dropped for the selection of Chelsea loanee Malang Sarr, a player Blues fans know all too well is probably not up to the standard the Premier League demands.

When asked by French media after the game, Clement admitted that he couldn’t be sure that the international defender would be with his club after the transfer window comes to a close.

Clement unsure if Badiashile will stay

He said: “Badiashile leaving? I don’t know but he was on the bench today because I also need to plan things. I need to give others automatisms and experience. Whilst nothing is signed, he is still a part of this club.

“A manager always wants to keep his best players. Benoît is still very motivated for the club. He shows that in every training session.”

The Blues have seemingly targeted their efforts on the 21-year-old despite having plenty of previous admiration for Josko Gvardiol.

KRC Genk v Club Brugge KV - Jupiler Pro League
Photo by Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images

The RB Leipzig man is fresh off the back of a sensational individual campaign at the World Cup, which also saw his country finish in third position.

However, the Bundesliga club have seemingly used this information to their advantage, with them obviously demanding a much higher transfer fee than even Chelsea seem willing to go to.

With reports claiming the move for Badiashile is in the region of £35m, the Blues are saving a lot of money on a left footed centre-back.