Benoît Badiashile Opens Up on Christmas Memories in Chelsea’s Festive Series

Chelsea FC continue their festive tradition by sitting down with players to talk about their Christmas memories, and today it was the turn of one of the squad’s quieter characters — Benoît “BB” Badiashile.

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BB’s Christmas Memories

There’s something unexpectedly heart-warming about hearing a grown man — especially one as calm and stoic as Benoît Badiashile — talk about his childhood Christmas memories. Strip away the centre-back armour and you’re left with a kid who still remembers the joy of unwrapping the perfect present.

When BB speaks about his favourite gift, you can almost picture the smile breaking across his face.

“I don’t know if it was the first [present I remember], but I can really remember one when I received an electric car.”

Simple, genuine, and full of nostalgia — the kind of Christmas memory that never really fades.

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A Very French Christmas Dinner

Of course, no Frenchman can talk about Christmas without making a subtle — and very deliberate — comparison about food. Badiashile didn’t miss his chance to remind everyone that Christmas dinner is done differently back home.

“It’s the [normal Christmas] food, it’s not that different from what people have in England. The best bit is le dinde, which is the roast turkey. It’s similar to here, but I like it done the French way.”

We’ll let that one slide, Benoît — just this once.

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Why Christmas Eve Means More Than Christmas Day

Badiashile also revealed that Christmas Eve, rather than Christmas Day, is the real highlight for his family. It’s less about presents and more about togetherness.

“For me, it’s more about Christmas Eve, the evening, and then on Christmas morning we don’t really do anything too special. On Christmas Eve, we have a big dinner with a lot of food and we just talk and laugh all together.”

It’s a reminder that the best Christmas moments aren’t always about what’s under the tree, but who you share them with.

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One Christmas Wish from Chelsea Fans

Happy Christmas, Benoît. And here’s hoping Santa leaves a few strong performances under the Stamford Bridge tree as well. If Badiashile can bring the same warmth and consistency to the pitch as he does to his Christmas memories, Chelsea fans will be more than satisfied.