The Ligue 1 Show's Matt Spiro sat down with promising young Monaco defender Benoît Badiashile and talked about everything from his influential older brother Loïc to beating PSG - despite idolising Lionel Messi - ad what life is like in Philippe Clément's squad... Pt II of a two-part special.
Benoît Badiashile is part of a new generation of super-talented French young guns, having made his AS Monaco debut at just 17 - on top of featuring for France at every youth level - and remaining a fixture in the senior team under a number of different coaches, from Henry to Niko Kovac to current boss Philippe Clément.
>> PT I of Matt's interview with Benoît Bdiashile
Journalist: I want to talk about your brother, I think you are close. Was your decision to join Monaco influenced by the fact your brother Loïc was already at the academy?
Badiashile: Yes, as well. Of course. He talked to me about what it was like at Monaco. That played a role in my decision.
Did he help you at the start?
Yes of course, because he knew the academy as well. He explained stuff to me, he gave me advice. He told me what to do and that helped me to settle.
It’s like at school, you’re better off if you have a big brother.
Exactly!
You played together a bit… there’s one game that was crazy…
Badiashile: Yes, against Lorient in the cup.
I was going to ask you about the Coupe de la Ligue tie against Rennes…
Ah yes! Against Rennes as well…
There was that penalty shootout…
Yes, against Rennes, exactly! We played together in that game. It’s a really nice experience to play with your brother with the professional team. I was very happy, very proud, and what’s more it finished well… He managed to save some penalties, so it was a perfect moment.
You played 90 minutes and then went off. He played the whole game, then saved 3 penalties, then scored the winning kick!
That’s right!
He must have been proud…
Yes, of course, because he had been through some difficult times, so that did him good. And honestly I was very happy for him, and I hope he’ll have a lot more great moments like that in his career.
Did he practise penalties against you?
Never! I took a few, I scored a lot, but he hadn’t ever taken one.
He played a league game in the title-winning season too, against Rennes. So we can say he was part of the title-winning squad. That’s quite something!
Yes, he explained to me what it was like in that team. I was in the academy and I was really happy. We’d see them win weekend after weekend, and I was proud to think that my brother was part of that team. It’s a source of pride for him of course, he’s won a trophy, and I hope he can keep going.
What’s it like to be in the academy when the first team is beating everyone with Falcao and Mbappé?
Well you enjoy it first of all. It’s nice to go and watch them, and you want to do everything you can to be playing with them at the weekend. When you see what they are doing it motivates you even more to achieve your objectives.
We've talked about the start of your time with Monaco, let’s talk now about happier periods. I guess you really enjoyed last season when Monaco were pushing near the top under Niko Kovac.
Yes, that’s it. To be honest the first part of the season was a bit up and down, we didn’t manage to win consistently. Then in the second half of the season we really exploded. We went on a run of wins and it was a very fine season in the end because people weren’t expecting us to be up there. Finishing third! It was very nice to show people that we had a strong team. It was a very accomplished season because we finished third and qualified for the Champions League playoffs.
We had our camera on you for one game… it was a good choice, because it was the game against PSG at the Parc des Princes. It was different to your first game against PSG three years previously…
Oh yes, it was different. We won 2-0, we played very well, at the back and going forward. We were clinical in front of goal and efficient at the back. It was a complete performance. And we were proud because it enabled us to win three points and that was very important.
Can you remember who you were up against?
Icardi, Mbappé and Moise Kean.
That’s right, Monaco played with three at the back with you, Maripan and Disasi. Are you comfortable in that role?
Yes I was comfortable. We’d practised that all week, we knew what we had to do at the weekend, so it was easier.
Tell us a bit about what it is like in that dressing room?
It’s a bit different now because there are a lot of young French players. When I started with the pros there were more experienced guys. We all understand each other because we are more or less the same age, we played together for France at junior level. Even the foreign players settle very quickly, we have a great spirit in the dressing room and I think that shows on the pitch.
There’s a super young generation. Youssouf [Fofana] and Axel [Disasi] were talking about your being a great player for the future. I imagine you think the same about Tchouameni and Fofana…
Yes, we have talented young players. But we know we have a lot to learn and a lot to prove, but we are happy in the dressing room.
Who’s the biggest joker in the dressing room?
Youssouf! Without a doubt!
You see it in his cheeky smile…
Always!
There were talking seriously about your being a top young player. I’ve always been impressed with your reading of the game and your positioning. Is that something that comes naturally or you have to work at it?
No, I have to work at it all the time in training. As you said, since I started with the senior team, I’ve been improving. I've learned something new with every coach I have had, I try to work on it and put it into practise in the games. That’s what has helped me to become the player I am today. But I know I still have a lot to learn and I will keeping on working to try to do that.
We talked about Petit and Thuram, you’re maybe too young to have seen them. Are there any players you regarded as a role model when younger?
My favourite player is Lionel Messi. I know I’m nothing like him – I’m a defender, he’s an attacker – but he’s the player who really made me dream when I started watching and playing football. So I’d say Messi.
But I guess the coach doesn’t want you trying to be Messi?
No no! Keep it simple because I’m a defender.
What do you need to work on?
What do I need to work on? A bit of everything. But above all defensively, I need to be more consistent – play well for the whole game and not just one half. And improve my aggression, my desire to win the challenges… and become a killer, like the top defenders.
What’s your strong point? Your aerial game?
I’d say my strong point is the quality of my distribution. That’s my main strength, and that’s what sets me apart from certain other defenders. It’s one of my qualities.
Your adventure with Monaco isn’t over yet… I imagine you want to win a trophy with this club?
Yes, that’s certain. Since I started with Monaco I have wanted to win something. This season we have a chance with the Coupe de France. So we’ll do everything we can to try to bring another trophy to this club.
There’s the Europa League too.
Yes, and the Europa League.
Is there a priority? You’re only eight points off third and could even finish in the top three again…
Yes of course we all believe. It’s still possible to finish on the podium, so we will work hard and do everything we can to try to achieve that objective.
Badiashile's next chance to impress comes as Philippe Clément's side travel to promoted FC Metz in Ligue 1 Uber Eats Round 30 action after the international break on Sunday, 3 April.
