Chelsea FC: Brilliant Badiashile paves the way for new signings as Thiago Silva partnership blossoms

Chelsea will be hoping their promising early form at Stamford Bridge will point to better times for their new signings.

The arrival of French centre-back Badiashile early last month kicked off a record January spending spree of over £300m.

After Chelsea were sent into a spiral of crisis with defeats to Manchester City and Fulham, Badiashile made his debut in a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace.

After the Blues won two more 0-0 draws at Liverpool and at home to Fulham, he is building an impressive partnership with Thiago Silva.

Badiashile was one of five new signings to feature in Friday’s 0-0 draw with Fulham. He started alongside £106.8million Enzo Fernandez, who started well but passed out within 90 minutes, £89.5million Mykhailo Mudryk, who struggled for 45 minutes while suffering from a cold , and £30million Noni Madueke, who was brilliant after being brought on at half-time. time.

“What a waste of money” was the regular chant from Fulham fans away from home.

It seemed harsh in Badiashile’s case. With his size and speed, he looks like a perfect partner for the 38-year-old veteran Silva.

Moreover, he showed his ability to perform brilliantly in the well-rehearsed Fulham press and he coped with his duels against Aleksandar Mitrovic.

There is still some adaptation to be done, since Graham Potter barked instructions on his positioning in relation to Silva.

However, using French to communicate with the former Paris Saint-Germain captain, Badiashile helped stabilize the ship in the absence of the injured Wesley Fofana and with out-of-form Kalidou Koulibaly.

Despite still averaging just 1.05 goals per game in the Premier League, Chelsea will shoot more than they win unless their new midfielders and forwards step in.

Arriving in the weeks after Badiashile, Fernandez, Joao Felix, Mudryk and Madueke didn’t have as much time to adjust to their surroundings.

With Chelsea still in 10th place and falling further and further behind in the race to qualify for Europe, they must follow Badiashile’s lead and get to work before time runs out.