Enzo Maresca Advised to Offload Badiashile and Disasi in Chelsea Rebuild
Newly appointed Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is set to overhaul his squad even before officially starting his tenure at Stamford Bridge. The Italian has been advised to part ways with French defenders Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi, both significant investments by the club, in a bid to bolster Chelsea’s defense for the upcoming season.
Key Points:
1. Management Transition and Squad Changes:
- New Leadership: Maresca, who has signed a five-year contract with Chelsea, is already strategizing for his squad’s future, despite his official start date being next month. He takes over from Mauricio Pochettino and will aim to address defensive frailties .
- Squad Evaluation: The need for defensive reinforcement comes amid Chelsea’s ongoing defensive issues and Maresca’s focus on stabilizing the back line.
2. Criticism of Badiashile and Disasi:
- John Obi Mikel’s Advice: Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel criticized the performances of both Badiashile and Disasi on his podcast. Mikel stated, “Thiago Silva is leaving, we need a couple of centre-halves,” adding, “I don’t think Benoit Badiashile is the guy for Chelsea, no” and similarly downplayed Disasi’s fit for the squad .
- Lack of Impact: Badiashile and Disasi, both signed from Monaco, have struggled to make a significant impact. Badiashile, who cost £38m and made 44 appearances in his first season, and Disasi, who has only played 33 games, are seen as yet to fulfill their potential at Chelsea .
3. Current Defensive Options and Additions:
- Defensive Roster: Chelsea’s current roster includes defenders Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, and Alfie Gilchrist. Despite this, the club remains active in the market and has secured Tosin Adarabioyo from Fulham as a potential key defensive addition .
- Transfer Market Activity: Chelsea’s co-sporting directors, Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, have expressed confidence in Adarabioyo, highlighting his Premier League experience and readiness to join Chelsea’s squad for pre-season .
Potential Implications for Chelsea’s Defense
1. Need for Proven Quality:
- Experience Over Potential: Mikel’s critique highlights a preference for experienced, proven defenders over younger talents who might still be developing. This indicates a potential shift towards recruiting seasoned center-backs who can offer immediate stability .
- Impact on Badiashile and Disasi: If Maresca heeds this advice, Badiashile and Disasi could find themselves out of favor, paving the way for more established defenders to take their place.
2. Maresca’s Defensive Strategy:
- Focus on Stability: Maresca’s decisions regarding the defense will be crucial in shaping Chelsea’s tactical approach. Bringing in experienced defenders could provide the solidity and leadership needed at the back, especially with the impending departure of Thiago Silva .
- Balancing Youth and Experience: While integrating young talents like Colwill and Fofana, finding the right balance between youth and experience will be essential for Maresca to ensure both immediate performance and future development.
Enzo Maresca’s impending start as Chelsea’s manager comes with the significant task of addressing the team’s defensive shortcomings. With advice from former players like John Obi Mikel, the new manager may need to consider offloading underperforming assets like Badiashile and Disasi in favor of more experienced defenders. This approach could provide the defensive stability required for Chelsea to compete effectively in the Premier League and other competitions.
Enzo Maresca Advised to Offload Badiashile and Disasi in Chelsea Rebuild
