Chelsea complete deal for Ligue 1 star

Chelsea host Manchester City on Thursday evening hoping to put an end to their dismal run of form. 

The Blues have won just one of their last seven Premier League matches, and currently find themselves tenth in the table, behind west London neighbours Fulham and Brentford.

Graham Potter’s side now face arguably their toughest test of the season so far, though, as they welcome reigning champions City to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea’s backline will be tasked with dealing with striker Erling Haaland, who has already scored 21 times in the Premier League so far this term.

In contrast, Potter’s side have struggled in front of goal, scoring fewer goals than both Leeds United and Leicester City, both of whom are currently in the bottom eight of the league at present.

Owner Todd Boehly is likely to make full use of the January transfer window, and reports suggest that they have finalised a move for a Ligue 1 star.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Monaco defender Benoit Badiashile.

The 21-year-old centre-back is set to be announced as a Chelsea player in the coming days, and will join up with Potter’s squad immediately.

Badiashile has agreed to move to Chelsea

Badiashile has been a regular for Monaco so far this season, making 16 appearances across all competitions, although he has missed five of their last seven matches, partly due to a combination of suspension and injury.

Romano claims that the French side will receive around £33.5 million for the defender, who graduated through the club’s youth academy.

In total, Badiashile has made 135 appearances for his boyhood club since making his debut during the 2018/19 season.

The centre-back has also been capped by his native France twice at senior level, making his debut in a 2-0 win over Austria in September last year.

Chelsea did sign both Kalidou Koulibaly and Wesley Fofana over the summer, but the pair have both already suffered with injuries.

Considering the fact that Thiago Silva will turn 39-years-old this year, Boehly has moved to bolster Potter’s defensive options ahead of a hectic second half of the season.