Benoit Badiashile could leave Chelsea after less than a year

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 18 Dec 2023 13:28 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea are bracing themselves for an approach from Lyon for Benoit Badiashile.

The defender has been at the club less than a year but Ligue 1 strugglers Lyon are hoping to secure his services on a loan deal in the January transfer window, in what would be a surprising move if it was to transpire.

Foot Mercato report that the side have an excellent relationship with Chelsea since the transfer of Malo Gusto and remain hopeful of a deal for the youngster next month.

Lyon are looking to bolster their squad with reinforcements in the winter window following an abysmal start to their campaign and have €50million available to spend. One of the biggest priorities is the centre of defence, as Sinaly Diomande is expected to depart in the January window. The defender is facing increasingly limited minutes since Pierre Sage took interim charge of Lyon and now is looking for a way out.

If the IIvorian international does leave it means that Lyon need to sign a replacement - with Badiashile being a key target for the French outfit.

When did Benoit Badiashile leave Monaco?

The centre-back was playing in Ligue 1 at Monaco before he completed a €37m transfer to Chelsea. He has impressed at Stamford Bridge, being arguably the club’s best defender this season.

What could strengthen Lyon’s position is the positive relations between Todd Boehly and John Textor - but it’s not clear Badiashile would be interested in returning to France, having just got into the swing of things at Chelsea.

He featured as Chelsea beat Sheffield United 2-0 at the weekend to end their run of two straight losses.

The West London side are now 10th in the Premier League table, four points behind Brighton in ninth.