Why Benoit Badiashile would be a real coup for Newcastle United
According to Chronicle Live, Newcastle United have joined the race for Monaco starlet Benoit Badiashile, who is an up and coming centre-back prospect in Europe.
The Magpies sent a scout to keep an eye on Badiashile in Monaco’s 2-1 defeat at the hands of Bordeaux in Ligue 1 last weekend. Wolves, West Brom, Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona all had scouts in attendance to monitor the 18-year-old central defender as well (h/t Chronicle Live).
Badiashile, who has also been assessed at close quarters by Chelsea over the past few months (h/t Chronicle Live), has started 12 out of Monaco’s 14 fixtures in the Ligue 1 so far.
Monaco find themselves languishing in the bottom half of the table, following a lacklustre start to the ongoing campaign. The academy teenager has been one of the shining lights, however, with his rich vein of form and rapid development.
Born in Limoges, France, to parents of Congolese descent, Badiashile started his footballing education at semi-professional outfit SC Malesherbes and spent eight years in the academy before joining Monaco’s youth system in 2016.
Having signed his first professional contract with Monaco in February 2018, the 18-year-old was handed his senior professional bow against PSG last November. He made as many as 26 appearances over the course of his breakthrough campaign, including 20 starts in the Ligue 1.
To put things into perspective, Newcastle United face the risk of being blown out of the water in the race to sign Benoit Badiashile. That said, the Magpies’ interest in the French U19 international certainly strikes the right chords.
Standing at 6ft 4in, Badiashile has averaged 56.8 passes per game at an accuracy rate of 84.9%, including 3.4 long balls, 1.1 tackles, 1.6 interceptions, 3.3 aerial duels and 2.8 clearances per game this term (whoscored).
Still only 18, Badiashile is in the formative years of his career as a professional footballer, meaning Newcastle could have a real gem on their hands in the future.
Verdict
The French youth international has some serious potential. Although Newcastle already have Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark, Fabian Schar, Florian Lejeune, Federico Fernandez and Paul Dummett competing for three places at the heart of the defence, the 18-year-old is capable of evolving into one of the mainstays.
However, given the club’s fall in grace from European regulars to relegation contenders in the Premier League, Newcastle could have their work cut out in convincing the Ligue 1 starlet to complete a switch.
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Barring that, it is a no-brainer for Newcastle to go all out and sign Badiashile in the near future.