Chelsea hero William Gallas warns Benoit Badiashile and demands more time for under-fire boss Graham Potter

CHELSEA hero William Gallas is confident Benoit Badiashile will arrive at Stamford Bridge but has hinted he needs to improve his physicality.

Badiashile was one of eight Blues signings during a very busy January transfer window, arriving from Monaco after a £35m deal.

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Gallas, who has spent five years at Stamford Bridge since arriving from Marseille in 2001, is very confident in his French compatriot, who has excelled 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 has struggled with physical challenges in France and needs to improve 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’s really good. He has 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 play against a good opponent.

“In Monaco his weakness was his physicality – he was fighting bigger opponents in France.

“We know in England that the Premier League is a lot more physical than Ligue 1 so we’ll have to see how he responds to this challenge.”

Badiashile will need to make a quick comeback as Chelsea find themselves in a tight spot after falling to 10th in the Premier League table.

The Blues’ manager Graham Potter has come under fire but Gallas claims club bosses should show confidence and give him another season.

The ex-Arsenal and Tottenham ace believes Potter deserves more time after his impressive showing 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 another season because he joined the club at the start of the season, which is always difficult for any manager, so it’s hard to judge him properly and for me he has to stay.

“We know that in football a manager can be fired
anytime but I 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’ll know by the end of the 2024 season if he’s capable of leading a top club.”