AFCON 2021 winner Kalidou Kouibaly has joined Chelsea from Napoli for a reported £34M after the two clubs agreed a deal. Koulibaly has been a target for Chelsea since the days of Antonio Conte and he will finally join Chelsea at the ripe age of 31. He will sign a four-year contract with the London club.
Koulibaly brings a wealth of experience and ability to this Chelsea side. After losing Antonio Rudiger to Real Madrid, they have replaced him well. K2 made over 300 appearances for the club and won two titles in Italy. He also captained the team on some occasions. He is regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation and age has not reduced his abilities one bit. His reading of the game is excellent and he backs it up with excellent physical attributes.
The move represents a change in the Chelsea way. The previous administration did not give long-term contracts to players above 31 like Koulibaly, but the Todd Boehly/Clearlake administration is different. Even in their transfer approach. They have been direct with their efforts, earning the admiration of other executives. A different stance from the hardball games Marina Granovskaia was known for playing.
