Benoit Badiashile Likened to Two Chelsea Legends as Fans Impressed by Performance vs Benfica

Benoit Badiashile produced a standout performance on Tuesday night to help Chelsea beat Benfica and keep a first clean sheet in six games.

Centre-back Badiashile, who moved to Stamford Bridge for £35 million in January 2023, made his first start of the season and fans were very impressed by his level of performance.

Defending was the most impressive aspect of Chelsea’s performance. The Blues won this Champions League clash 1-0 courtesy of a Richard Rios own goal in the 18th minute. The home team then ended the night with 10 men after Joao Pedro was shown a second yellow card in stoppage time.

Benoit Badiashile stats vs Benfica

Despite being subbed off in the 80th minute, Badiashile had more touches of the ball (107) than any other player in Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Benfica.

Badiashile also played the most passes (99) and was successful in finding a teammate with 96% of them.

The 24-year-old committed just one foul, while making two tackles, two interceptions and three clearances.

Benfica were under the leadership of Jose Mourinho, whose return to Stamford Bridge had dominated the build-up to the game.

Benoit Badiashile “robbed” of Player of the Match award

Badiashile was many Chelsea fans’ pick for the Player of the Match award on Tuesday, but it was officially presented to Marc Cucurella.

Reacting to an official Chelsea club tweet about Cucurella’s award, one fan commented that Badiashile had been “robbed”.

Another fan replied: “Badiashile deserves it more!!”

Benoit Badiashile likened to Chelsea legends after brilliance vs Benfica

Some Blues supporters were so impressed by how Badiashile played against Benfica that they likened him to a club legend.

One tweeted a photo of Thiago Silva alongside the message: “This Benoit Badiashile performance today”.

Another shared a gif of iconic former captain John Terry with the caption: “Badiashile when a Liverpool game is close”.

Chelsea host Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday and Badiashile seemingly has every chance of featuring following his fine showing in midweek.

If he is included in the first XI on Saturday it would be his first Premier League start in six months and 18 days.

What else did Chelsea fans say about Benoit Badiashile after Tuesday’s game?

One Chelsea fan was cautiously optimistic after witnessing Badiashile keep Benfica at bay. They commented: “Whisper it quietly but Badiashile was really good tonight I thought.”

Another fan added: “First start for Badiashile in months and he was top class tonight. Excellent in buildup, solid defensively and was overall a very calm presence at the back. We have missed you Benoit”.

A different Blues supporter wrote: “Badiashile tonight was commanding, my man of the match”.

What did Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca say about Benoit Badiashile?

Manager Enzo Maresca used Badiashile as an example to highlight how much better things might get once more injured Chelsea players return to fitness.

“We see if we are able to recover players, that for us is so important,” said Maresca. “But now the focus is for Saturday’s game. Then we have the international break that we are waiting for because we can have players back. You see tonight, Benoit Badiashile, he was very good. So if we are able to recover players, that’s what we need.”

Badiashile had missed much of pre-season and all of August with a muscular injury.

Chelsea’s injury list right now includes Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, Liam Delap, Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana and Dario Essugo.