Chelsea to Reject Offers for 'Complete Defender' Next Summer

Chelsea have reportedly decided to keep Benoit Badiashile despite concrete interest from AC Milan. However, the Blues are open to selling another one of their defenders in the upcoming transfer window.

Chelsea Make Benoit Badiashile Transfer Decision

A Disappointing Start

The Blues signed Badiashile on a £33 million deal from Monaco in January 2023. He joined the club as one of Ligue 1’s most promising youngsters, he signed a seven-and-a-half-year contract.

Despite showing flashes of brilliance in his performances for Chelsea, Badiashile has been far from the reliable defender that he once was at Monaco.

The 23-year-old has been limited to only seven starts in the Premier League, missing a significant part of the season with fitness issues. However, the Blues are hesitant to let him go in the next transfer window.

New Updates From Stamford Bridge

AC Milan, who were linked with a move for Badiashile earlier this season, have emerged as his main suitors ahead of the summer transfer window. However, according to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are not planning to sell their “complete defender” at the end of the season.

Unlike Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah could complete a move away from Chelsea in the summer. The 24-year-old, who has made only three Premier League appearances this season, was linked with a move to Bayern Munich in January. But the Bavarians ended up signing Eric Dier from Tottenham for the centre-back position.

Summer Sales Are Necessary for Chelsea

The Blues are expected to push for several new signings next summer, hoping to bounce back from a disappointing 2023-24 campaign.

The likes of Leny Yoro and Estevao Willian have emerged on Chelsea’s radar in recent weeks. However, signing such in-demand targets would force the club to make sales as they look to avoid breaching the Premier League profit and sustainability rules.

Earlier this week, a report from The Times claimed Chelsea are willing to sell Conor Gallagher and Reece James in the summer. The Blues reportedly need to generate “well over £100 million” through player sales as they look to remain within the limits of Financial Fair Play.