Olympique Marseille’s defensive makeover plans for January have hit a major roadblock, with Chelsea slamming the door on a potential move for Benoît Badiashile.
The 23-year-old French centre-back was high on OM’s wish list to shore up their backline, according to La Provence.
Marseille’s summer signing Lilian Brassier has underwhelmed, failing to establish a solid partnership with Leonardo Balerdi in the heart of the defence. As doubts loom over his future, Marseille turned their attention to Badiashile, whose imposing presence and composure were seen as the perfect remedy for their defensive frailties.
However, despite the player’s limited role at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea remain resolute in keeping Badiashile within their ranks. The Blues see the young defender as an integral part of their future, leaving Marseille scrambling to identify alternative options.
As the January window approaches, OM’s dream of luring Badiashile back to Ligue 1 seems increasingly unlikely. With ambitions of securing a top-three finish in Ligue 1, the pressure is mounting on Marseille to recalibrate their defensive strategy and find a viable solution.
