CHELSEA hero William Gallas is confident about Benoit Badiashile’s arrival at Stamford Bridge but hinted he will have to improve on his physicality.
Badiashile was one of eight signings the Blues made during a very busy January transfer window as he arrived from Monaco after a £35million deal.
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Gallas, who spent five years at Stamford Bridge since his arrival from Marseille in 2001, is very confident about his fellow Frenchman who stood out in Ligue 1.
The former France international used to play in the same position as the West Londoners’ newest centre-back and is confident he can form a strong duo with in-form Thiago Silva.
But the 45-year-old claims Badiashile struggled in France when it came to physical challenges and will have to up his game in the Premier League.
Speaking to Genting Casino, Gallas said: “I think he can form a strong partnership with Thiago Silva.
“Technically, he is really good. He has a presence and is very calm with the ball at his feet.
“He has a good left foot and is very composed. All the ingredients are there.
“I want to see how he responds to a physical challenge. When he has to go one against one with a good opponent.
“At Monaco, his weakness was his physicality – he struggled against bigger opponents in France.
“We know in England that the Premier League is a lot more physical than Ligue 1, so we will have to see how he responds to this challenge.”
Badiashile will have to hit the ground running quickly as Chelsea have found themselves in a tight spot after tumbling down to 10th place in the Premier League table.
The Blues’ manager Graham Potter has come under fire but Gallas claims club chiefs should show faith and give him one more season.
The ex-Arsenal and Tottenham ace believes Potter deserves more time after his stunning work at Brighton.
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Gallas added: “I think it will depend on the owner [Todd Boehly], it is his choice.
“I think Chelsea should give Graham Potter one more season because he joined the club when the season started, which is always difficult for any manager, so it is hard to judge him properly and, for me, he has to stay.
“We know that in football, a manager can be fired
at any time, but I do think he deserves the opportunity to show the club what he can do because he did well with Brighton.
“Maybe Potter can do well at Chelsea. We will know at the end of the 2024 season if he is capable of managing a top club.”
