As per reports, Chelsea are ready to reignite their interest in their long-term target Kalidou Koulibaly this summer as the Blues return to Europe’s elite competition after a disastrous season. The Senegal international has been impressive for Serie A side Napoli for the past few seasons now and Chelsea have previously tried to land him at Stamford Bridge, but it resulted in a failure.
Antonio Conte, this season, is very close to joining the elite list of managers in the Premier League, who have managed to achieve silverware in their first season itself. And the Italian should be hugely credited for it given the way Chelsea had started the season this year. Chelsea’s first team has enjoyed a largely uninterrupted season so far in which they were hardly tested, and whenever they were really tested, they didn’t manage to win.
The most recent result pertaining to that was seen against Manchester United. With Marcos Alonso pulling out at the last moment in the United game, Conte wad forced to play Kurt Zouma in the back line and pushing Cesar Azpilicueta on the wings. And the result was not what Chelsea wanted. And while the defence got weakened, it was also revealed in that very game that just how much did the Blues depend on Eden Hazard.
With Ander Herrera locking up the Belgian in the midfield, Chelsea looked crippled. And the very same problems could repeat itself next season when Chelsea will be forced to shuffle the squad every now and then because of the European fixtures. Now, with John Terry leaving at the end of the season, Conte will have to bring in reinforcements at the back and a quality one, who could adapt to the rigours of the Premier League fast.
And the 25-year-old centre-half more than fits the bill. Koulibaly definitely has the physical prowess to endure the pace and hustle of the league and his defensive attributes also make him an effective option for Chelsea’s three-man defence. At 187cm, he would be a solid presence alongside David Luiz and Garry Cahill.
An academy product of SR Saint-Dié, Koulibaly has made his way through the ranks of FC Metz and KRC Genk, following Napoli picked him up in the summer of 2014.
And as per reports in Italy, the Series A side is ready to sell their defender at the end of the season if the correct offer comes their way. Apparently, something in the region of €50 million (£42 million) would be more than enough to secure his signature.
