Premier League heavyweights Chelsea are reportedly ready to sell Benoit Badiashile this summer, with Joe Gomez emerging as the ideal target to replace the Frenchman.
According to a report by TEAMtalk, Benoit Badiashile is surplus to requirements at Chelsea heading into the final days of the summer transfer window. The Blues are ready to cash in on the French defender. Meanwhile, 27-year-old Liverpool utility man Joe Gomez has emerged as the ideal candidate to replace Benoit Badiashile at Stamford Bridge this season.
Benoit Badiashile and his Chelsea woes
Benoit Badiashile has struggled to make his mark since joining Chelsea from AS Monaco in a deal worth £35 million in January 2023. The Frenchman has fallen prey to the West London club’s infamous hoarding in the last 24 months, with several prospects becoming victims of the policy.
The 23-year-old has managed only 33 appearances thus far for Chelsea in the last 18 months, struggling to overcome the stiff competition in a crowded squad. So, Badiashile has gone from being a highly-coveted prodigy to an afterthought at the West London club.
The latest update has revealed that the French defender is surplus to requirements at Chelsea, with the Blues ready to get him off their books before the summer transfer window shuts down. They have also identified a long-term replacement for Benoit Badiashile, with Joe Gomez emerging on their radar as the ideal candidate to take the youngster’s spot in the defensive unit.
Benoit Badiashile out, Joe Gomez in?
Chelsea’s interest in Joe Gomez is understandable. The Liverpool defender can reprise multiple roles in the backline as he can play as a right-back, a left-back, and a centre-back. So, with Reece James struggling to shrug off his fitness issues and Ben Chilwell facing an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge, the 27-year-old can become an asset for Chelsea.
Most importantly, Enzo Maresca wants a new centre-back in his squad and has set his sights on the Liverpool utility man. As for Badiashile, the Frenchman is on £90,000-a-week wages, which the Blues want to get off their books.
However, Badiashile’s departure is not set in stone, let alone Chelsea’s prospects of recouping most of the £35 million they paid to land him in 2023. So, it will be interesting to see if the deals for Badiashile and Gomez see the light of day in the coming days.
