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Chelsea keep, sell, buy ahead of the 2021/22 campaign: Centrebacks

By Akshat Mehrish

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 08: Andreas Christensen of Chelsea passes the ball whilst under pressure from Gylfi Sigurdsson of Everton during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge on March 08, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Glyn Kirk - Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 08: Andreas Christensen of Chelsea passes the ball whilst under pressure from Gylfi Sigurdsson of Everton during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge on March 08, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Glyn Kirk - Pool/Getty Images) /
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METZ, FRANCE – AUGUST 30: Benoit Badiashile Mukinayi of AS Monaco during the Ligue 1 match between FC Metz and AS Monaco on August 30, 2020 in Metz, France. (Photo by Jeroen Meuwsen/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
METZ, FRANCE – AUGUST 30: Benoit Badiashile Mukinayi of AS Monaco during the Ligue 1 match between FC Metz and AS Monaco on August 30, 2020 in Metz, France. (Photo by Jeroen Meuwsen/BSR Agency/Getty Images) /

3. Buy

The one profile that the Blues lack in the centreback department is that of a left-footed player. Having one in the starting XI opens up a whole set of passing angles and enables the team to progress and recycle the ball with even more ease. As things stand, there is nobody in the squad who fits the bill. Academy player Levi Colwill is one who matches the profile, but there are a few stages left in his development before a first team call-up is even on the table. Therefore, it makes sense for the club to look outwards to find a solution.

AS Monaco’s Benoit Badiashile is one of the hottest prospects in Ligue 1. The 19-year-old centreback fits the profile of a modern centreback. He is tall (6’4), strong, good with his feet and in the air, and has the makings of a future star defender. If picked against Lille this weekend, Badiashile will be making his 75th appearance already for Les Monegasques. Furthermore, he has played the most minutes this season out of all the Monaco players (2276).

Badiashile does excellently when compared to centrebacks in the top five leagues in the last year, especially when it comes to passing from the back. The youngster is a good passer of the ball, particularly over short and medium distances, while his long-distance numbers are noteworthy too. The Frenchman fits the style of play Tuchel has currently implemented at Chelsea, with the team building out from the back.

FBref’s percentile metrics rank Badiashile slightly below average when it comes to tackles and interceptions though. That doesn’t necessarily suggest that the youngster is bad at defending, but rather points toward a more passive style of play with more focus on positioning than defending on the front foot. His high numbers when it comes to clearances suggest the same.

There are a few concerning things, however. General consensus suggests that he has a mistake in him every once and awhile. Furthermore, he has majorly played in a four-man back line. As such, a shift towards a different system could be challenging. However, at 19, Badiashile has time on his side and under a coach like Tuchel and alongside mentors like Silva, he could flesh out his overall game.

Next. Chelsea: Kai Havertz's performance should worry Christian Pulisic. dark

What would you do with each of Chelsea’s centerbacks? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!

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