Chelsea set to offload Benoit Badiashile in summer clear-out
Chelsea are set to move on from defender Benoit Badiashile this summer, with the French centre-back expected to be one of the first departures of the upcoming transfer window. The 25-year-old has fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge and is likely to be sold to make room for new signings, according to reports.
Badiashile arrived at Chelsea from AS Monaco in a high-profile move in January 2023, but his form and playing time have declined significantly since his initial promising start. The 25-year-old was a key figure in Chelsea's run to the Europa Conference League title last season, but has been a fringe player throughout the current campaign. He has made just five Premier League appearances this season and has not featured in a matchday squad since January.
Manager Liam Rosenior has recently favoured other options at centre-back, including the young Dutch defender Jorrel Hato, who was deployed as a left-sided centre-back in the recent defeat to Manchester City. The selection of Hato, alongside the presence of Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Josh Acheampong, Mamadou Sarr, and the injured Trevoh Chalobah, has left Badiashile as a peripheral figure. His last appearance for the Blues came in an FA Cup tie against Wrexham in February.
With Levi Colwill set to return from a long-term ACL injury, and the club reportedly targeting another starting-quality defender, Badiashile's path to first-team football at Stamford Bridge appears to be closed. The club is now expected to seek a permanent transfer for the French international, who has two caps for France, in the upcoming window. The move would likely signal the end of a three-and-a-half-year spell in West London for the 25-year-old, who has made 75 appearances for the club.
The expected sale of Badiashile is part of a broader strategy at Chelsea to streamline the squad and raise funds for new signings. His departure would free up a significant wage and help the club comply with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules. While a fee has not been disclosed, Chelsea will look to recoup a portion of the £35 million they paid Monaco for the defender.
