Benoît Badiashile has started just one Premier League game this season. In that game, he showed exactly why he should be starting far more often. While some Chelsea fans have their doubts about the former AS Monaco defender, it’s hard to understand why.
Injuries have kept Badiashile on the sidelines for much of his time at Chelsea, and understandably, that’s caused frustration among supporters. But when a player is injured as frequently as he has been, fans often begin questioning his ability rather than the circumstances.
Despite those setbacks, Badiashile has consistently delivered strong performances whenever he’s been fit. He has shown ice-cold composure on the ball, excellent timing in aerial duels, and a level of game-reading arguably unmatched by any Chelsea centreback since his arrival in January 2023.
Yes, composure in possession can occasionally lead to a misplaced pass or two, but that’s part of the risk. But against Liverpool, in a game where Chelsea were on the back foot for long stretches, both sides struggled to create clear chances. That was largely down to Badiashile’s defensive marshalling. He put his body on the line when needed, but his effectiveness went beyond bravery.
Badiashile shows Chelsea fans what he is capable of at his best
First, his composure was evident in the numbers: 44 out of 47 passes completed, including 4 of 6 long balls. His distribution helped Chelsea control possession and unlock space. Notably, he played a line-breaking pass that led to the Blues’ first goal. His calmness at the back rippled forward, allowing Moisés Caicedo and Malo Gusto to focus more on their midfield responsibilities.
His reading of the game was just as impressive. No player made more interceptions in the first half. He also blocked a key shot and ensured the defence had little to worry about. This is until he went down injured.
After Badiashile was substituted, the dynamic of the game changed. Chelsea came under far more pressure and lost control of key areas. Liverpool grew into the game immediately and scored almost exactly 10 minutes after the Frenchman left the pitch.
His composure and intelligence had put Chelsea in a commanding position. Had he stayed on the field, there’s a strong argument that the Blues would have seen out a more comfortable, but less thrilling, win.
We saw this level from Badiashile when he first arrived. Chelsea kept three consecutive clean sheets in his first three games. Injuries may have disrupted his rhythm, but it’s clear: there’s still a world-class centre-back in there.