Benoit Badiashile responds to Thiago Silva gesture after Chelsea beat Fluminense
Thiago Silva came up against several of his former team-mates as Chelsea advanced to the final of FIFA’s Club World Cup.
Enzo Maresca‘s first season at Stamford Bridge could end with success in both the UEFA Conference League and the Club World Cup, with either Real Madrid or PSG up next for Chelsea in Sunday’s decider.
The average age of the squad Maresca inherited last summer was reduced massively by the departure of Silva after four seasons in west London, but a youthful group of players have grown together this season.
Silva’s exit left Marcus Bettinelli as the only player in Chelsea’s squad over the age of 30 last term, but a perceived lack of experience hasn’t held the Blues back as they look to go all the way in the Club World Cup.
Thiago Silva sends Chelsea gift after Club World Cup exit
Chelsea‘s encounters with Brazilian opposition had thrown up mixed results so far in the Club World Cup, with a surprise 3-1 loss to Flamengo in the group stages before a nervy quarter-final win over Palmeiras.
The latter set up their semi-final clash against Silva’s Fluminense, but it was a brand-new Blues player who would make the difference as Joao Pedro scored both their goals in his very first start for Chelsea.
After Pedro’s two powerful strikes early in each half sealed a 2-0 win for Chelsea, Silva placed his match-worn Fluminense shirt in the Blues’ dressing room in a ‘good luck’ gesture to his former team-mates.
Badiashile may have missed Chelsea’s semi-final with a leg injury, but was impressed by Silva’s actions and posted an image of the jersey on his Instagram story (8 July) with the caption of “Monstro”.
Badiashile must be braced for Chelsea exit this summer
Football Insider Verdict
Chelsea haven’t let their participation in the Club World Cup stop them from accelerating transfer activity back at Stamford Bridge, with Pedro signed from Brighton for £60million just days before his two goals.
Jamie Gittens is another brand-new arrival in time for the Club World Cup final but is yet to make his bow in Blue, and Chelsea could look to sell players before their exploits at the tournament have concluded.
Kepa Arrizabalaga has already been sold to Arsenal for £5m, and with plenty of Chelsea fans happy to see the back of Badiashile after his performances when fit, the Frenchman could be one of the next names on the chopping block.