Benoit Badiashile left Chelsea to join Napoli in an initial loan deal in the summer. After initial doubts, the player is convincing critics in Italy.
The Frenchman had struggled for game time in London in the 2025/26 campaign. This made an exit a rather desperate need, as Napoli stepped in and saw him as a replacement for the injured Alessandro Buongiorno.
Towards the end of last month though, Badiashile wasn’t exactly seen as a big signing. He had failed to get regular game time, with his only league appearance coming off the bench.
He was already being viewed as a failed signing but the stance has now quickly changed.
Major comparisons made
AreaNapoli note how this has happened, making it clear that the Chelsea loanee was quite impressive in the win over Frosinone. It was his first start of the season and he played a key role in the 3-0 triumph.
This was seen as a statement of Badiashile’s ‘unquestionable value’, which is quickly shining through.
Already, comparisons are being made with Kalidou Koulibaly, who himself plied his trade with Napoli and Chelsea.
The outlet go on to clarify that the Partenopei have an option to buy of €27m in the agreement. Whether that is exercised or not remains to be seen but things are clearly on the right track.
Badiashile is expected to keep featuring more often too, having played a full 90 minutes in the loss to Villarreal on Tuesday.
Our take: Player needs more minutes
The Italian press already seem to be getting ahead of themselves with the comparisons. But it is obvious Badiashile needs minutes to get back to his best.
The lack of fitness held him back earlier in the season but those things are behind him now. That is why Max Allegri is trusting him more, which is a good sign of trust from the Italian.
But it is too early to compare the 25-year-old to Koulibaly, as the defender was a true icon in Naples.
