EXCL: The Meal Hasn’t Been Cooked Yet, Only The Ingredients Purchased

Ben Jacobs on Fulham game, Mount and Kante contracts, Aubameyang, Potter likes Toney, Plus news on Rice and Vlahovic

The goalless draw with Fulham on Friday evening was certainly flat, especially with so much expectation after Enzo Fernandez sensationally arrived on Deadline Day. Chelsea just lack final product right now and that’s ultimately why they have only scored 22 Premier League goals.

It's looking much rosier at the other end, though. The biggest positive from Fulham, aside from Reece James starting, was again the partnership between Thiago Silva and Benoit Badiashile. 

Chelsea were delighted to land Badiashile from Monaco for €37m – a price they see as fantastic value. The French centre-back could prove to be one of the most important January signings.

A lot has been made of the arrivals of Enzo and Mykhaylo Mudryk, but both will need time to gel. And that’s what has made Badiashile’s displays so far very impressive. He’s just slotted straight in like he’s been playing alongside Silva for years. That’s testament to the leadership and influence of Silva, too, who is extremely close to agreeing an extension with Chelsea.