Potter responds to Benoit Badiashile transfer interest amid £35m talks

Graham Potter was questioned about Chelsea’s interest in AS Monaco defender Benoit Badiashile following their win against AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League.

Chelsea had a very busy summer transfer window, spending a club record amount as Todd Boehly and the new ownership team looked to assert their dominance and kick-start their project at Stamford Bridge.

The January transfer window is now right around the corner, and the Blues are planning on making more moves to attempt to strengthen the squad.

It has been a tricky start to the season despite the money spent. Thomas Tuchel was sacked early on and a run of bad form before the World Cup break in Qatar left question marks surrounding the appointment of Potter.

Fortunately, the west London side’s first game back saw them comfortably defeat Bournemouth 2-0 at home.

It was a positive way to end 2022 and while it was a game they should be winning, it could serve as a momentum booster for Chelsea to push on and continue to improve from.

The Blues will have been pleased to have dealt with the threats that were posed to them and the clean sheet factor was very important.

In January, the plan is to fortify the backline even further, Chelsea’s priorities lie in acquiring both a centre-back and a striker as well.

Currently, the leading candidate to help bolster the defence is Monaco’s Badiashile who is just 21-years-old.

Despite having signed both Kalidou Koulibaly and Wesley Fofana in the summer, the Blues are keen to get another addition at the back.

Following Chelsea’s win against the Cherries, Potter was asked for his thoughts on a potential deal for the French international. He said: “My answer is I don’t speak about anyone that isn’t a Chelsea player.

“There are lots of people who get linked to this club and I’d be wasting your time and mine if I responded to every one.

“I always say the club’s responsibility is to try to improve the team but my job is to try to improve the players we have here and the team. That’s what I’ll be focused on.”

Should the Blues pursue Badiashile, they may have to fork out a rather large amount of cash, with it recently reported Monaco have set a price tag of €60 million for their young talent.