Chelsea unwilling to let 23-year-old star leave in January despite interest from UCL giants: Reports

Chelsea are reluctant to let Benoit Badiashile leave in January despite interest from Juventus, according to RMC Sport. The report adds that a top club in Ligue 1 - supposedly Marseille as per Nice-Martin - also have their eyes on the Frenchman.

Badiashile joined the Blues in the summer of 2023 from Monaco as a promising young defender. However, the 23-year-old has failed to establish himself in the starting XI so far.

Badiashile has dropped down the pecking order under Enzo Maresca this season. He has registered 10 starts from 12 appearances across competitions this season for the London giants, but the majority of them have been in the UEFA Conference League.

He is behind the likes of Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill at the club, but Chelsea have no desire to let him go in the winter. Despite his lack of game time, the London giants apparently consider him a part of their plans.

Maresca is convinced that the Frenchman has a part to play this season and wants him around. The Blues are fighting on four fronts this season and want to keep their squad intact.

With Fofana currently out with a hamstring issue, Chelsea want to ensure they have enough cover in the squad for additional injuries. However, unless Benoit Badiashile manages to impress between now and the end of the season, he could be put up for sale in the summer. The player's contract at Stamford Bridge runs until 2030.

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Can Chelsea keep hold of Cole Palmer?

Benoit Badishile

Cole Palmer has once again emerged as one of Chelsea's most important players this season. The Englishman arrived at Stamford Bridge from Manchester City in the summer of 2023 and was a revelation last season.

The 22-year-old has continued that form this campaign and now has 11 goals and six assists from 17 games across competitions. Recent reports have suggested that the player is wanted at Real Madrid.

Football 365 has now suggested - via reports in Spain - that Palmer has informed the Blues that he wants to join the LaLiga champions. However, the player is under contract with the London giants until 2033, so they are under no pressure to let him go.

It has also been reported that Chelsea will only let him leave for €200m. Real Madrid believe that the Englishman will be a good fit in their squad, but his asking price could be a dealbreaker.