According to TF1 journalist, Julien Maynard, Tottenham Hotspur have emerged as the latest club to enquire about AS Monaco defender Benoit Badiashile. Maynard claims that the club could consider selling him if the offer is lucrative enough, providing the likes of Spurs, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southampton a significant boost in his pursuit.
The prospect of Badiashile
Badiashile is touted as the next best thing to come out from the AS Monaco youth academy. He has been a part of the youth setup since 2016 when he joined from SC Malesherbes. The defender performed really well in the youth leagues before gaining promotion to the senior side last summer.
After initially playing for the Under-19s in the UEFA Youth League, Badiashile made his Ligue 1 debut against PSG in November. Since then, he has enjoyed a more prominent role in the first time, ending the 2018/19 campaign with 20 league appearances.
The youngster is tipped to play a vital role in the Monaco backline as the French outfit look to recover from a turbulent campaign. But, his future at the club hangs in the balance with so many clubs circling him.
What can he offer to the table?
A centre-back by trade, Badiashile is a passing machine at the back. The Frenchman attained a splendid pass completion rate of 89% last season while averaging almost 55 passes per game. His excellent passing range allows him to play the ball out from the back.
Defensively, Badiashile is a prudent tackler, having attempted only 1.7 tackles per game. But, a success rate of 76% is better than most other top Ligue 1 defenders. Furthermore, the 18-year-old averaged almost four clearances while winning 1.8 aerial duels per game, which is indicative of his defensive work-rate.
Stat courtesy: Whoscored
Is Badiashile a good option for Tottenham?
Badiashile might turn out to be a smart piece of investment for Tottenham Hotspur amid speculations regarding the long-term future of Toby Alderweireld. But even if the Belgian ends up staying at the club beyond this summer, the AS Monaco starlet can be considered as a potential long-term replacement.
It will be a good idea to secure the services of Badiashile and then send him back to Monaco until the rest of the campaign. Another season in the Ligue 1 will help the defender gain some invaluable experience in top-flight European football. And in future, the Frenchman can turn out to be a useful defensive option for Tottenham Hotspur along with Juan Foyth.
