Why Badiashile is Chelsea's perfect Rudiger replacement
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 3 Jun 2022 09:51 CDT
- 3 min read
Chelsea’s quest to replace Antonio Rudiger will step up a notch after the Germany international’s summer transfer to Real Madrid was announced on Thursday.
Rudiger has been a key figure in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the duration of the manager’s 18-month stay and will leave a hole that will be tough to fill.
Monaco’s Benoit Badiashile could be just the man to replace the 29-year-old.
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This is not a suggestion that comes from nowhere. Telefoot has reported that the 21-year-old centre-back is being closely monitored by two Premier League clubs and to that end it is logical that Chelsea, who are so short on central defenders, should be one of those clubs. Newcastle and West Ham have previously been linked with him.
Certainly, when it comes to replacing Rudiger, Badiashile offers similar characteristics to the German. They offer similar physical profiles and being left footed would surely help him slot into the left side of the defence.
Data analytics experts SciSports also demonstrate that both like to play in a similar style. They both like having the ball at their feet and participating in the play with short passes in a low-tempo build-up.
In terms of the performance of the two players, too, there are upsides to Badiashile compared to the Real Madrid-bound star. The Frenchman performed better defensively in Ligue 1 last term than Rudiger managed in the Premier League in all disciplines with the exception of defensive positioning. Given his young age, though, it should come as little surprise that a more experienced player is more proficient in this regard.
Would Monaco sell Badiashile?
Chelsea are likely to find it difficult to get Monaco to sell Badiashile, despite the player previously stating that he wants to move to the Premier League.
“I’ve had some contact with English clubs but it was only informal,” he told Goal. “For me, the Premier League is the best league, so naturally I dream of it. But I’m very good at Monaco and I’m not pressing to leave.”
There are two reasons why a deal could prove difficult. Firstly, Monaco are set to receive two huge windfalls in the coming months. The first of these will come from the sale of Aurelien Tchouameni, who PSG and Real Madrid are fighting over for around €100 million, while the second will arrive if they can qualify for the Champions League.
Indeed, their presence among Europe’s leading sides means that Badiashile can afford to bide his time with the club until the end of the transfer window to see if they are to play among Europe’s elite.
Under contract until 206, Badiashile’s future if firmly in Monaco’s hands. The club have reportedly put a €40m asking price on his head, which appears to be the minimum Chelsea would have to pay to force a transfer through.
