Chelsea’s huge headache over €32m signing as Romano reveals truth behind transfer rumours

Robin Bairner

Updated: 1 Apr 2024 12:21 BST
19 min read

Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea, Badliashile — © IMAGO

Fabrizio Romano has addressed transfer rumours that suggest Chelsea could sell Benoit Badiashile to AC Milan in the summer, with the situation a complex one for the Blues.

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Badiashile was signed from Monaco by Chelsea in January 2023 for €38 million but the 23-year-old has struggled to find his best form at Stamford Bridge.

The left-sided centre-back has been earmarked as one player who could potentially be sold in the summer in order to raise money to fund new incoming transfers.

Milan have reportedly been interested in the defender for several months and now Romano has directly addressed the possibility of Chelsea making a sale.

Writing for the Daily Briefing, Romano says: “We’re again seeing reports of AC Milan targeting Chelsea defender Benoit Badiashile. AC Milan were interested in January, but there’s no decision yet on what they will do in the summer, it’s still early for AC Milan summer plans apart from decision already made to bring in a new important striker.

“Also Chelsea have not made any decision on Badiashile so far. We have to see in the summer for this, nothing is really happening now.”

Which Badiashile will Chelsea get?

Badiashile and Chelsea find themselves at a crossroads.

Data analytics experts SciSports suggest that the centre-back still has the potential to become a key player at Stamford Bridge, but it also expresses concern at his performances over the last six months.

Badiashile has suffered what SciSports describes as a “significant decline” in his performance and indicates that he is currently only good enough to be a rotation player under Mauricio Pochettino.

When compared to his Premier League rivals this season, his performance has been lamentable. Badiashile is rated sixth-worst among centre-backs this season, according to SciSports’ algorithm.

Badiashile vs Premier League centre-backs: 2023/24

Badiashile vs Premier League centre-backs: 2022/23

This has been reflected in Badiashile’s Estimated Transfer Value (ETV). Having risen over €50m shortly after he arrived at Chelsea, Badiashile’s value is barely half of that now at €27m.

Chelsea’s problem is that this comes in complete contrast to his start to life at Stamford Bridge. By the end of last season, he was performing to the standard of almost the best central defender in the league.