The Senegalese international joined Chelsea for £ 34 million from Napoli. The 31-year-old is assigned the number 26 years previously won by Chelsea legend and former captain John Terry. Chelsea’s new number 26 is expected to earn £295,000.
Chelsea has made the signing of defenders their top priority this summer as echoed by Thomas Tuchel last week in his interview with the Chelsea media. Chelsea is reported to have seen their £ 55million bid Jules Koundé rejected. Chelsea is also in an advance negotiation with Paris Saint Germain for Presnel Kimpembe.
Thomas Tuchel and Chelsea would expect Kalidou Koulibaly to help them cover the vacuum left by Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
What did Kalidou Koulibaly say about the phone conversation between Thomas Tuchel and Him?
The 31-year-old Senegalese international revealed via the Chelsea official website, saying: “ Really excited. It’s important to me that he called me, he told me what he wants from me and everything he told me was perfect for me to come to Chelsea. I’m really happy to work under him. I knew him from his days in Paris as PSG and he called me directly to ask if I wanted to come to Chelsea, and of course, the answer was yes. I’m really happy to work with him and to work with his staff. He’s a good man, a very good trainer and I’m looking forward to working with him.”
Kalidou Koulibaly has vast experience after spending eight at Napoli, playing in the Champions League, being crowned the best defender in 2019, and being drafted into the Serie A team of the season for four consecutive times.
He added: “Well I hope to give my experience to all the guys to help them, especially the younger players. I played for eight seasons in Napoli, I’ve played in the Champions League and some important games and now I want to learn about the Premier League and give my best. I know that the Premier League is very fast and physical but it is also tactical, so it’s something I will have to adapt to quickly and improve myself to be the player the coach wants. I will give him and the team everything he wants from me.”
Chelsea will play Charlotte FC on Thursday. Thomas Tuchelhe has revealed that Chelsea’s new signing Raheem Sterling may play his first game for Chelsea.
Thomas Tuchel revealed: “Raheem is absolutely ready to go.
“He will be on the pitch against Charlotte and we are happy about that. He is excited to play his first match.”
However, Thomas Tuchel has revealed that Kalidou Koulibaly is likely not featured in the game as he is far behind in their preparation.
The Chelsea manager said: “We’re a bit torn so I have to speak to him about what we do.
“He did some training sessions now with us but he’s still in a very individual program so no double sessions on the pitch.
“He trains with the team but there are players who are in the third week of preparation and on a completely different level of physical foundation so it’s not a good match for him to straight away play.
“I don’t want to rule it out completely but it’s very likely that he maybe will not play and we will not see him on the pitch.”
