Chelsea have endured a topsy-turvy ride this season, and currently perch outside the Premier League top-four after 15 matches, despite a convincing victory over AFC Bournemouth this week.

What’s the word?

With owner Todd Boehly assuming the ownership role from Roman Abramovich earlier this year, funds were injected into the outfit over the summer, but the new era has not quite taken flight, with the Blues losing four out of five matches in the weeks preceding the World Cup in Qatar. 

Romano tweeted:

“Negotiations are progressing to final stages for Benoit Badiashile to join Chelsea, expectation is for the deal to be completed soon for €35/40m (£31/35m) fee.

“There’s an agreement in principle on personal terms with Badiashile, he’s now keen on the move as reported yesterday.”

With a deal ostensibly closing on completion, boss Graham Potter will be eager to slot him straight into the fold, ready to exhibit his refined attributes from the core of Chelsea’s team. 

Rudiger replacement 

With the player eager to move to Stamford Bridge and Chelsea displaying determination to get a deal over the line, the cogs are well-placed to welcome one of Europe’s most vibrant and dynamic centre-backs to the Premier League.

Badiashile is the quintessential modern defender, boasting an imposing physicality and an innate ball-playing ability that will allow his team to have faith in forward transitions being instigated with swift precision from the defensive third.

Making 135 appearances for Monaco since ascending from the youth ranks, the 21-year-old already holds a wealth of experience that belies his tender age.

And having played 11 times in the league this term, Badiashile’s two goals further allude to the all-encompassing aura of his presence, with a regular direct goal threat from the defence a fine tool to wield when seeking success.

With the recent departure of Antonio Rudiger on a free transfer to Real Madrid, Chelsea moved to replace their exemplary defender this summer by signing Wesley Fofana for an initial £70m and Kalidou Koulibaly for £33m – the former has spent much of the campaign injured and the 31-year-old Koulibaly has not reached the heights he did for Napoli.

Rudiger himself boasted plenty of offensive threat and passing pedigree, ranking in the top 4% for goals scored and 7% for attempted passes when compared to positional peers over the past year.

But with the signing of the £35.3m-rated Badiashile, Potter might finally be able to get the Bridge rocking, instilling authority and assurance; a centrepiece to the club’s prospective good fortunes over the coming years. 

As per FBref, the Frenchman ranks within the top 7% of defenders for progressive passes this past year, also within the top 8% for rate of goals – this indeed illustrates the skill set he would bring, going in tandem with Potter’s own fluid philosophy. 

Once lauded as “tenacious” and “complete” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Badiashile would certainly bring a dogged attitude to the side, who could mould him to their own creation over the next several years, ultimately unleashing one of the game’s best defenders around.