5 hours ago, Chelsbear said:

Not sure on the 4 year deal at 31. Should have happened 4 years ago, let's hope its not too late. 

It would still be a bargain if we can get 3 top seasons out of him, hopefully he does a Thiago Silva and we get more.

Very happy to see him signed up. A good solid rock of a defender, as JT and Cahill were. 

Concern is his injury record, hopefully the Cobham medical team keep him going well.

really happy with this signing, i am convinced he will be one of the best defenders in the league

Koulibaly- Thiago Silva what a duo they are going to be

makes me excited to watch the defending 

 

Edited July 16, 20224 yr by azpi28

Thiago and Koulibaly is exciting prospect at the back - calmness personified. Flank them with Colwill, Chalobah, Dave or Kounde and I’m happy. 
Welcome Koulibaly!

Has a mistake in him and relies on his pace, which isn't the best thing aged 31.

Still, a good price for a very good player, albeit one that'll probably only last for two seasons before we have to think about replacing him.

Emergency signing but still a good one under the circumstances, Delit he ain’t,  but better due to experience than all the current available options at the back except for Silva. Big money for his age but I’m sure he’ll impress for Chelsea. 

The fat waiter's opinion on our new centre back.

https://www.teamtalk.com/chelsea/kalidou-koulibaly-rafael-benitez-guilty-flaws-napoli-premier-league

Apparently needs to show better concentration. If that's true I can understand why @Deino compared him to David Luiz.

6 hours ago, just said:

The fat waiter's opinion on our new centre back.

https://www.teamtalk.com/chelsea/kalidou-koulibaly-rafael-benitez-guilty-flaws-napoli-premier-league

Apparently needs to show better concentration. If that's true I can understand why @Deino compared him to David Luiz.

You sound a little worried @just. Adding a David Luiz to a side already including Jorgi and Timo is the stuff of nightmares for you eh?

2 hours ago, axman2526 said:

You sound a little worried @just. Adding a David Luiz to a side already including Jorgi and Timo is the stuff of nightmares for you eh?

Can you think of a team spine of Luiz-like, Jorginho and Timo? That’s what Just’s nightmares are made of.

18 hours ago, just said:

The fat waiter's opinion on our new centre back.

https://www.teamtalk.com/chelsea/kalidou-koulibaly-rafael-benitez-guilty-flaws-napoli-premier-league

Apparently needs to show better concentration. If that's true I can understand why @Deino compared him to David Luiz.

Benitez's opinion of Koulibaly should be tempered by his utter lack of coaching ability, since the mistake-prone defender was transformed into a reliable colossus by Sarri of all people. 

Koulibaly's big flaw is identical to Rudiger in that he aggressively hunts the ball, which sometimes doesn't come off, and he relies on his speed to make up for it.

The problem might be that the EPL is two steps quicker than Serie A, and while Rudiger had 4 years to adjust, Koulibaly will not.

he's just as nice as kanté 

On 18/07/2022 at 11:16, SydneyChelsea said:

Benitez's opinion of Koulibaly should be tempered by his utter lack of coaching ability, since the mistake-prone defender was transformed into a reliable colossus by Sarri of all people. 

Koulibaly's big flaw is identical to Rudiger in that he aggressively hunts the ball, which sometimes doesn't come off, and he relies on his speed to make up for it.

The problem might be that the EPL is two steps quicker than Serie A, and while Rudiger had 4 years to adjust, Koulibaly will not.

We are playing in back 3 not back 4. He will be fine. 

https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2022/7/19/23270202/koulibaly-picks-most-legendary-chelsea-shirt-number-for-preseason

 

Taken the number 26 shirt for preseason, and possibly longer.

32 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2022/7/19/23270202/koulibaly-picks-most-legendary-chelsea-shirt-number-for-preseason

 

Taken the number 26 shirt for preseason, and possibly longer.

It was my coat hook number in the lower 2 classes of primary school, so I see it as a tribute to me 

 

3 hours ago, axman2526 said:

https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2022/7/19/23270202/koulibaly-picks-most-legendary-chelsea-shirt-number-for-preseason

 

Taken the number 26 shirt for preseason, and possibly longer.

17 is my favourite number, It’s a nice number for sterling 

 

13 hours ago, axman2526 said:

https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2022/7/19/23270202/koulibaly-picks-most-legendary-chelsea-shirt-number-for-preseason

 

Taken the number 26 shirt for preseason, and possibly longer.

Colwill will be gutted LOL, but at least he also has previous form with the #4 !

Welcome 😀

A good replacement for Rudiger IMO.

Edited July 23, 20223 yr by Jezz

Interesting bit from Napolis president:

"Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has been speaking to the Italian media about the Kalidou Koulibaly exit with Chelsea able to poach on the £34million opportunity that was presented their way.

"I let Koulibaly go because he asked me to," he told Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli via Football Italia.

 

"Barcelona had come in, but they didn’t have the money because they are in debt. Then Chelsea came forward and we couldn’t say no to someone like Koulibaly, despite the fact I tried in every possible way to keep him, offering €6million (£5.1million) per season net.

"But if a player wants a new experience at a prestigious club, in the biggest league in the world, you have to recognise what he’s given you and not put up walls.""

Via: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.football.london/chelsea-fc/transfer-news/jules-kounde-chelsea-barcelona-transfer-24572909.amp

22 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Interesting bit from Napolis president:

"Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has been speaking to the Italian media about the Kalidou Koulibaly exit with Chelsea able to poach on the £34million opportunity that was presented their way.

"I let Koulibaly go because he asked me to," he told Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli via Football Italia.

 

"Barcelona had come in, but they didn’t have the money because they are in debt. Then Chelsea came forward and we couldn’t say no to someone like Koulibaly, despite the fact I tried in every possible way to keep him, offering €6million (£5.1million) per season net.

"But if a player wants a new experience at a prestigious club, in the biggest league in the world, you have to recognise what he’s given you and not put up walls.""

Via: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.football.london/chelsea-fc/transfer-news/jules-kounde-chelsea-barcelona-transfer-24572909.amp

Not many ex-Napoli players get this kind of respect from Aurelio De Laurentiis of all people!, especially when they want out.. so it goes to show a lot about Koulibaly and his character.

8 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Interesting bit from Napolis president:

"Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has been speaking to the Italian media about the Kalidou Koulibaly exit with Chelsea able to poach on the £34million opportunity that was presented their way.

"I let Koulibaly go because he asked me to," he told Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli via Football Italia.

 

"Barcelona had come in, but they didn’t have the money because they are in debt. Then Chelsea came forward and we couldn’t say no to someone like Koulibaly, despite the fact I tried in every possible way to keep him, offering €6million (£5.1million) per season net.

"But if a player wants a new experience at a prestigious club, in the biggest league in the world, you have to recognise what he’s given you and not put up walls.""

Via: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.football.london/chelsea-fc/transfer-news/jules-kounde-chelsea-barcelona-transfer-24572909.amp

Nice. Now Chelsea have to live up to the dream 

 

if you don't want to watch the embarrassing game but still see a bit of Koulibaly

6 hours ago, Valerie said:

Nice. Now Chelsea have to live up to the dream 

I feel sorry for him and Silva at the moment. They deserve a lot better.

Good strong physical defending last night, looks a good replacement for Rudiger

No doubts about it.

He was always going to be the most ‘safe’ choice transfer we could have made in the market, not even a doubt; just a shame he doesn’t really ‘add’ to the overall strength just here to replace Rudiger.. that’s the problem.

Koulibaly and Kounde in a back 4 with James and Chilwell is potentially title winning quality. 

Quality depth will be an issue, so it is vital we avoid injuried. 

I feel we need something extra in midfield, not sure if its a physical dm, or just another Jorginho with more mobility. 

We also need something extra in attack. Pity we didnt get Jesus. Not many options left, personally i would go all out for Rafael Leao. 

We arent a million miles away, but the preparation for this season is a major hindrance.