Benoit Badiashile could be joined by Newcastle United defender Sven Botman at Chelsea in the near future.
Botman is currently being linked with a move to Chelsea, who have had a few problems in central defence this season.
Badiashile should be returning from injury soon, so that will be one less thing for Enzo Maresca to worry about.
The Frenchman and Botman are both good defenders, but Badiashile is perhaps the better footballer.
Chelsea defender Sven Botman controlling the ball
Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images
Benoit Badiashile is a better passer than Sven Botman
Some of Badiashile’s defending is questioned at times, but the 24-year-old is quite good on the ball, and the numbers show that.
For example, according to FBref, Badiashile makes 4.90 progressive passes per 90 minutes. It makes him an ideal fit for Maresca.
The Chelsea manager likes his team to build up play from the back, making the ability to play forward passes and through the lines crucial.
In contrast to Badiashile, Botman only makes 2.17 progressive passes per 90 minutes, and that puts him in the 12th percentile among centre-halves for that area.
Nevertheless, journalist Simon Phillips has reported on his Substack Si Phillips Talks Chelsea that the Club World Cup winners are still interested in signing Botman.
Newcastle United defender Sven Botman
Photo by Michelle Mercer/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Chelsea’s win rate with Benoit Badiashile
Being able to utilise Badiashile’s passing and defending does seem to make a difference for Maresca’s side.
Chelsea have a higher win rate with Badiashile (66.6%) in the team compared to when they are without the France international. That has at least been the case this season.
When Badiashile does not feature, Chelsea’s 66.6% win rate drops down to 58.3%.
It means that the former AS Monaco man’s imminent return could be very good news for Maresca, who is having to play around with the left side of the Blues’ central defence following Levi Colwill’s injury.
Botman is left-footed so could also slot in there, but he is not as good as Badiashile and Colwill in possession.