Fabrizio Romano rubbishes claims of Chelsea transfer rumour
By Malcom David
Earlier in the week, reports out of Italy claimed that A.C Milan were looking to pursue a shock loan move for Chelsea centreback Benoit Badiashile this January.
According to Italian news outlet, La Gazzetta Dello Sport, the Rossoneri are targeting Badiashile to compensate for injuries in their backline and improve their team in the short run-in hopes of achieving Champions League qualification next season. The rumors were surprising, considering the French centre back only joined the Blues little less than a year ago during the last winter window. An injury setback has forced the 22-year-old to sit out the beginning of this season. However, amongst a bulk of young talent brought to the Bridge in January, Badiashile looked like the best signing the Blues had made.
Fabrizio Romano rubbishes claims of Chelsea transfer rumour
Renowned transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has now cleared up the rumors. Romano stated that while “Milan appreciate the player”, the only outgoing move Chelsea has lined up for a defender in January is for Trevoh Chalobah. With the signing of Axel Disasi during the summer window and Chalobah’s injury at the beginning of the season, the signs became clearer that the Cobham graduate’s time in the capital would soon be nearing its end.
As for Benoit Badiashile, the defender has now fully returned from his injury. He’s so far only started one game for the Blues, featuring in the fourth round Carabao Cup win against Blackburn Rovers. He scored in that match and albeit against Championship opposition, looked like he hadn’t lost a step defensively either. The French international is yet to start a game in the Premier League for the Blues since his return.
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Mauricio Pochettino has been wary of tinkering with his starting XI in the league, especially with the risk of rushing players returning from injury. Badiashile’s opportunity to regain his starting role will come after the international break. Defender rotations are bound to happen with the injury to Levi Colwill and the inevitable management of 39-year-old Thiago Silva’s game time. Those that watched the CB’s performances during the last campaign know that he has a large role to play in this CFC defense for years to come and will not be leaving West London anytime soon.