Chelsea New Manager Urged to Replace £74m Defensive Duo with ‘World-Class’ Signings

New Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has been advised to consider replacing defenders Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi to bring in top-tier centre-backs capable of leading the Blues’ defense post-Thiago Silva.

Badiashile, who joined Chelsea from Monaco in January 2023 for £35 million, and Disasi, who followed in a £39 million deal that summer, have shown potential but are yet to reach the level of consistency and leadership demonstrated by veteran Thiago Silva. The pair, who are close friends, have collectively made 77 appearances for Chelsea, contributing five goals.

Despite their youth and potential, former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel believes they may not yet be ready to fill Silva’s shoes. Mikel has called for Maresca to secure two proven, world-class centre-backs to stabilize the team’s defense.

“Thiago Silva is leaving, we need a couple of centre-halves,” Mikel said. “I don’t think Benoit Badiashile is the guy for Chelsea, no. Disasi, no. They’re still young players, they will develop. We need proven, two top centre-backs who will come in there and stabilize that back four. We need that. We need two world-class centre-halves.”

Thiago Silva, who will turn 40 in September, has been a standout performer for Chelsea and will soon return to his native Brazil to play for Fluminense. His departure puts increased pressure on Badiashile and Disasi to step up, a challenge Mikel feels they may not yet be ready to meet.

Chelsea have already made a defensive addition with the signing of Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer from Fulham. The 26-year-old defender, who was also linked with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, has signed a four-year contract with Chelsea.

Adarabioyo expressed his excitement about joining Chelsea: “Chelsea is a huge club and this is a full-circle moment for me. I was born three miles away from Stamford Bridge and made my professional debut there. I’m very excited and looking forward to helping push the club in the direction we want to go.”

As Chelsea prepares for life without Silva, the pressure is on Maresca to build a robust and reliable defense that can compete at the highest levels. Whether the addition of Adarabioyo and the potential pursuit of other world-class defenders will be enough remains to be seen.