“He spoke up for help” – Benoit Badiashile shares why £110k-a-week Chelsea teammate recently spoke up to help him
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In a recent bout against Newcastle United, Chelsea’s Benoit Badiashile found solace in the camaraderie of a teammate after a somewhat lackluster performance. The Blues emerged triumphant in a League Cup quarter-final clash on December 19, securing victory through a penalty shootout.
Despite the overall success, Badiashile, the 22-year-old centre-back, grappled with a challenging outing, showcasing a vulnerability in his defensive prowess. Notably, he inadvertently contributed to Newcastle’s Callum Wilson finding the net in the first half.
Fortunately, Mauricio Pochettino’s squad advanced, setting the stage for a semifinal showdown against Middlesbrough on Tuesday as they aim for a spot in the competition’s final. Reflecting on the Newcastle encounter, Badiashile candidly expressed his frustration in a recent interview.
Amidst the halftime turmoil, a pivotal turning point transpired through a discussion with Chelsea stalwart Thiago Silva and the head coach. Badiashile acknowledged the impact, stating, “I was a little bit disappointed [at half-time against Newcastle], but the coach spoke to me, and so did Thiago. It was difficult, but I knew with these players that we could do great things, so I believed, and my second-half performance was completely different,” as revealed on Chelsea’s official website.
This narrative unveils a compelling instance of Silva’s leadership in the dressing room, a leader without the captain’s armband. At 39, Silva holds the distinction of being the Premier League’s oldest outfield player, boasting a wealth of experience at the elite level.
The Brazilian centre-half, commanding a weekly wage of £110,000 according to Spotrac, proves to be an invaluable asset to Chelsea, providing support both on and off the pitch. Notably, journalist Simon Phillips, through Substack, hinted at internal discussions within Chelsea about extending Silva’s tenure for another year, underscoring his enduring significance to the team.
