CHELSEA have once again strengthened their defence with the signing of Benoit Badiashile from Monaco.
The Blues announced the £35million deal just six months after paying £34m for Kalidou Koulibaly and £70m for Wesley Fofana.
Badiashile’s arrival will raise question marks on the future of Chelsea’s pair of summer signings.
Brazilian veteran Thiago Silva, even at 38, remains a fixture in Graham Potter’s side and seems the least likely to drop out.
It could see left-sided centre-back Badiashile, 21, partner Silva if Chelsea were to play a back four.
But looking further into the future, with Potter keen to build a young side, Fofana, 22, may be the man to play alongside the Frenchman.
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It would leave Koulibaly’s future in doubt amid speculation he is already looking for a transfer exit.
But what could be his saving grace is if Potter reverts to a back five and three-man central defence.
That would pave the way for Koulibaly to play besides Silva and Badiashile.
Or Silva could be the one to make way, allowing for a younger trio of centre-halves.
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It also depends on who is fit, with Chelsea’s star midfielder N’Golo Kante facing fitness issues and Mateo Kovacic only just returning from the World Cup.
Furthermore, the Blues also await the possible arrivals of World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez, 21, and Mykhailo Mudryk, 22.
Benfica are still holding out on Chelsea matching Fernandez’s £106m release clause and seem unwilling to negotiate.
Meanwhile, Arsenal were frontrunners to sign winger Mudryk until the Blues came knocking, ready to pay Shakhtar Donetsk’s £80m asking price.
A new midfielder and forward could determine what shape Chelsea play and how much space there will be at the back following Badiashile’s arrival.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
