Badiashile impresses in Napoli full debut: ‘Excellent’

Chelsea loanee Benoit Badiashile received praise for his performance in a 3-0 win over Frosinone at the Stadio Maradona: ‘He played an excellent match,’ said his teammate, Giovanni Di Lorenzo.

French centre-back Badiashile delivered a convincing performance for Napoli in their 3-0 win over Frosinone on Saturday night.

It was his second appearance for the Partenopei, and this time he was far more convincing than in his September debut against Inter, when Napoli conceded twice in the final ten minutes after he was introduced from the bench.

Against Frosinone, Badiashile played the entire game in a three-man defence and helped the Azzurri keep a clean sheet at the Stadio Maradona.

“I’m happy; he played an excellent match,” Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo said at a post-match press conference, as quoted by TuttoNapoli.

“The whole team defended well and tried to attack. It was his first start, and we now have a run of matches in quick succession. We need everyone. He played well tonight and will be a great help to us.”

Napoli coach Massimiliano Allegri said he was “pleased” with the defender’s performance.

Badiashile played the full 90 minutes and was also praised by Italian media. Corriere dello Sport rated the Chelsea loanee 7/10, one of the team’s highest ratings.

“In his first start, he was in complete control of his body and the space around him. Frosinone couldn’t get past him,” wrote the sports paper.

Badiashile joined Napoli on loan from Chelsea last summer. The Partenopei have an option to make his move permanent for €27m at the end of the campaign.