Benoit Badiashile will be keen to make his Chelsea debut before the end of the month after completing a £33.6million move from Monaco. The 21-year-old defender is the Blues' second signing of the the January transfer window as Graham Potter looks to bolster his squad ahead of a congested fixture schedule.
He completed his medical earlier this week in London and has since signed a seven-and-a-half year deal at Stamford Bridge. With Chelsea currently without defenders Wesley Fofana, Reece James and Ben Chilwell due to injury, the France international is expected to join the first-team squad and compete for a starting spot.
Badiashile arrives as the west Londoners prepare for five blockbuster clashes. Chelsea are set to lock horns with Manchester City on successive occasions this month; at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League (January 5) and at the Etihad Stadium in the FA Cup third round (January 8).
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The Blues are also set for a pair of London derbies - against Fulham (January 12) and Crystal Palace (January 15) - before facing Liverpool on January 21. Badiashile won't be available to face City on January 5 but he's expected to be unveiled to fans in attendance at Stamford Bridge.
He will, however, be available for selection against Pep Guardiola's side at the weekend in the FA Cup, though it remains to be seen whether Potter will opt for the defender in the Chelsea backline.
Nevertheless, Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali are pleased to have signed Badiashile ahead of what is set to be a busy January period. The Chelsea chairman and co-controlling owner said in a joint statement: "We're delighted to welcome Benoit to Chelsea.
"He's an excellent young player who has quickly established a strong reputation for himself and has a huge amount of experience for his young age. We are sure he will form an important part of our team in the years ahead."
After completing his move to Stamford Bridge, Badiashile has sent a message to Blues supporters. He said: "I’m very happy to be here at Chelsea. I’m so excited to start playing for this club. I can’t wait to see the fans and start playing in the best league in the world."
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