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Chelsea bolster their defence with Monaco centre-back Badiashile

French Under-21 international Benoît Badiashile has been a regular starter at Monaco during the past four years. He becomes Chelsea’s second capture of the January window.

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(FILES) In this file photo taken on September 11, 2022 Monaco's French defender Benoit Badiashile (R) celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the French L1 football match between AS Monaco and Olympique Lyonnais at the Louis II Stadium (Stade Louis II) in the Principality of Monaco. - Chelsea signed France international defender Benoit Badiashile from Ligue 1 side Monaco on Thursday, January 5, for a fee believed to be just under 40 million euros ($42 million). (Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON / AFP)
CHRISTOPHE SIMONAFP

Benoît Badiashile completed his move from Monaco to Chelsea on Thursday. The 21-year-old centre-back signed a seven-and-a-half-year contract with the Premier League side paying a fee reportedly in the region of €38 million for his services. Badiashile, an international for France at Under-21 level, carved out a regular place in Monaco’s defence since making his first team debut under coach Thierry Henry in November 2018.

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Chelsea were keen to strengthen their defence, with a left-sided centre-back after losing Antonio Rüdiger to Real Madrid last summer. According to reports, the Blues had originally hoped to sign RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol, who starred for Croatia at the recent World Cup, but were unable to agree a fee with the Bundesliga outfit. Chelsea signed Wesley Fofana for 80 million euros in August, but the former Leicester City defender has suffered several injury setbacks.

Chelsea replenishing the squad

Badiashile, with 106 Ligue 1 appearances for Monaco under his belt, brings plenty of experience as well as adding youthful energy to a back four where he will play alongside Kalidou Koulibaly and veteran campaigner Thiago Silva. He becomes Chelsea’s second signing of the transfer window, after the arrival of David Datro Fofana, while Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos looks also set to join from Vasco de Gama.

“I’m very happy to be here at Chelsea,” Badiashile told the club’s official website. “I’m so excited to start playing for this club. I can’t wait to see the fans and start playing in the best league in the world.”

Chelsea co-owner and chairman Todd Boehly added: “We’re delighted to welcome Benoît to Chelsea. He’s an excellent young player who has quickly established a strong reputation for himself and has a huge amount of experience for his young age. We are sure he will form an important part of our team in the years ahead.”

Hopes pinned on Enzo

Chelsea also have their heart set on signing Enzo Fernández during the winter transfer window, after the Benfica midfielder impressed for Argentina in Qatar. A deal appeared likely earlier this week, but on Thursday Chelsea’s approach was criticised by Benfica coach Roger Schmidt, who accused the Blues of showing a lack of respect in how they have gone about negotiations.