Why Wolves must plot a summer swoop for Benoit Badiashile
Back in July 2019, French newspaper L’Equipe (h/t The Sun) had claimed that Wolves were interested in signing AS Monaco teenager Benoit Badiashile. However, no deal materialised last summer and he stayed put at AS Monaco.
Having signed his first professional contract with Monaco in February 2018, Benoit Badiashile, 19, was handed his senior professional bow against PSG in November 2018. He made as many as 26 appearances over the course of his breakthrough campaign, including 20 starts in the Ligue 1.
The defender has put in some impressive performances this season after being a shining light during a poor 2018/19 season for the Ligue 1 club. The France U19 international has made 20 appearances across all competitions and after becoming a regular fixture at the back this season, he was awarded a new contract that runs until 2024.
Meanwhile, Wolves have enjoyed a solid campaign and are currently 6th in the table after the completion of 29 games. Nuno Espirito Santo should aim to achieve Champions League qualification and that’s realistic considering fourth-placed Chelsea are just five points ahead of them.
The Wanderers have done very well this season in the league as well as in the Europa League. They have reached the Europa League’s round of 16 after beating Espanyol. And their success has been built on the back of a resolute defence, with Nuno’s side conceding just 34 goals in 29 games.
Conor Coady has marshalled his troops very well since the start of the campaign. Willy Boly has returned stronger after recovering from a knee injury, but Wolves loaned out Ryan Bennett to Leicester City during the January transfer window. Following Bennett’s departure, Romain Saiss has cemented his position in the back three.
Young Max Kilman has emerged as an option for Wolves, which should provide Nuno with some depth in defence. Despite Kilman’s emergence, the Portuguese tactician must look to bring in a young centre-back to strengthen a key area of his squad. To that end, the Wanderers reigniting interest in Benoit Badiashile would make sense.
Monaco’s very highly-rated defender, Badiashile has excelled this season and has shown at Monaco that he’s too good for Ligue 1 football. He has also represented the France Under-19 side 15 times. The teenager has featured regularly in Ligue 1 for the last two seasons and has developed himself into a fine centre-back.
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Still only 19, Badiashile is in the formative years of his career as a professional footballer, meaning Wolves could have a real gem on their hands in the future. The French youth international has some serious potential and is capable of competing for places in Wolves’ defence next term.
Verdict
The Monaco defender is a big star for the future and luring a player with the obvious potential of Badiashile would be a big statement of intent by Wolves.
