Kalidou Koulibaly | Chelsea
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Jamie (@Vault Dweller) discuss United's progression to the FA Cup Semi Final after a crazy win over Fulham at Old Trafford. They also talk about the latest on the sale of the club and whether they would prefer to be owned by Jim Ratcliffe or Sheikh Jassim. But before all that they are joined by special guest Natalie to discuss Man Utd Women - who are currently riding high at the top of the WSL. Can they actually win the league?
Great signing. His ability will add lot more to our back three. Welcome to chelsea koulibaly.
Good player but not really one to cause great concern.
Wrong side of 30 and another stop gap signing like Silva. Will also be interesting to see how he adapts to the PL given his age and the fact his background is predominantly in Italy. Also a bit suspect in the air.
Best years certainly behind him but if he adapts can help Chelsea steady things following the loss of Rudiger.
Wrong side of 30 and another stop gap signing like Silva. Will also be interesting to see how he adapts to the PL given his age and the fact his background is predominantly in Italy. Also a bit suspect in the air.
Best years certainly behind him but if he adapts can help Chelsea steady things following the loss of Rudiger.
Blimey, he's finally left Napoli.
If Chelsea fans don't double the amount of songs they sing to a whopping 2 after having Kalidou to the tune of "Agadoo" fall right into their laps then there is no hope for them.
I remember when we were interested a few years ago Napoli asked around 100 million.
This post makes him sounds like he’s 35 and coming off of a season in which he declined significantly.
Pleased with this. We needed a character to replace Rudi and this chap seems to be absolutely loved by Napoli and their fans.
Him being mates with Jorgi and especially Mendy is also a big plus.
Him being mates with Jorgi and especially Mendy is also a big plus.
We'll finally get to see if he's really 6'5''.
Perfect signing for Chelsea when we consider the situation they are in with their defenders.
And yet he's younger than Van Dijk and he's coming off a good season.
He’s 31 and never played in the PL which we all know is a tough ask. He’s not a Thiago Silva level player who did adapt after a struggle of a start.
He’s also not played 30 or more league games in the past 3 seasons. Prior to that he was a 35 game a season man.
As I say I don’t think he’s a bad player at all but he’s not at the peak of his powers nor do I expect him to improve.
He’ll do a good job though and manages a tricky transitional period for you.
Interested to see how he does. He's a bit like Bailly in how he can look world class one minute and a play-with-your-idols competition winner the next, and he is definitely not the player he once was. At 31 I'm not exactly gutted we missed out on him after all the years of rumours.
I guess I can’t completely disagree. Questions and concerns about whether he can adapt to the league when it comes to the pace and intensity are 100% legitimate but I just don’t think he’ll have any issues physically with the transition. Especially if we still use 3 at the back.
And if reports of Tuchel wanting an additional 2 CB in addition to KK are true, that’ll hopefully mean he is managed properly and rotated in less important matches.
I’m interested to see what your plan is especially given you have Colwill who is very highly rated.
This isn’t a bad deal if the idea is to not block pathways but it will depend who else you target. Not convinced on Kimpembe and the Ake deal seems to have fallen through. Who else is linked?
It is oddly nice on a hot day like this to have @TheReligion 's usual bucket of cold water poured on anything positive.
Cheers dude!
Cheers dude!
Don’t mean to be. I just don’t think he’s a dead cert to be as successful as being made out nor do I think it’s the kind of signing that upgrades you from the previous season.
I think for the money though, and your need for CBs in that system, he will be a good enough signing.
Koulibaly can play all three positions in our defense without any problem. That makes him very valuable addition. He is right footed footballer but he played mostly left sided center back in Napoli. Because he is comfortable in both feets as well.
Has good pace and two footed so easily play as central defender position in our system as well.
Very good passer with both feets. Can act as a launching pad for attacks as well.
Very good at breaking lines and carry the ball forward. All he did with back four system without much difficulties. In our system he simply can enhance all of his ball playing abilities as well.
With his signing chelsea get experience, very adaptive ball playing center back who can play all positions across central defense in our back three system,comfortable at back 4 system as well if we want to change. No brainer for me to get his service for the reported fee of 40 mn euros.
Has good pace and two footed so easily play as central defender position in our system as well.
Very good passer with both feets. Can act as a launching pad for attacks as well.
Very good at breaking lines and carry the ball forward. All he did with back four system without much difficulties. In our system he simply can enhance all of his ball playing abilities as well.
With his signing chelsea get experience, very adaptive ball playing center back who can play all positions across central defense in our back three system,comfortable at back 4 system as well if we want to change. No brainer for me to get his service for the reported fee of 40 mn euros.
Chelsea always get good defenders.
Last season he'd very likely have played 30 league games if it wasn't for AFCON that made him miss a bunch of games. I wouldn't exactly hold it against him for being unavailable because of an international tournament. Other than international duty he missed two games due to COVID and six games because of a single muscle injury which doesn't sound too dramatic. It's not like he's been constantly out injured or suffered from some niggling problems.
And even if he can't play more than 25-30 league matches, why should that be some huge issue? As long as he plays to a high level in the games he is available for, that's more than enough IMO.
Never seen him play but I'm sure he's okay
I’m just pointing out the past three seasons he’s averaged about 25 league appearances. Before that he was hitting 35 plus additional competitions.
There’s obviously been some sort of drop off for whatever reason or another.
Great signing for Chelsea. He's been easily among the best CBs in the world for quite a few years now and on top of that he's a great character and a leader. Hasn't really played in a back three though, which might take some time getting used to. Massively underrated by the non Serie A following public.
Yeah you are right, but context is also important. Fact is Koulibaly hasn't suffered any such injuries that should negatively affect his physical attributes, nor has he really had any injuries that are often associated with high risk of repetition.
At this point there's every chance it's nothing more than a coincidence that he just happened to have a few injuries in the last few seasons and not that many in the season before then. Or you could be right and his body is starting to show signs of breaking down. Guess we'll know more when he actually starts playing.
One of those players who has achieved almost mythical status. Whenever top centre backs are mentioned, his name always gets thrown into the mix by people who have never seen him play (I haven't either) so it will be fun to see if he is all he's cracked up to be.
Now if only some PL side could finally sign that Lazio midfielder so we could definitively establish if the world's best players are in fact playing for mediocre Serie A teams (like a throwback to the 80's) that would be fantastic!
Now if only some PL side could finally sign that Lazio midfielder so we could definitively establish if the world's best players are in fact playing for mediocre Serie A teams (like a throwback to the 80's) that would be fantastic!
Chelsea have signed Ake too?
Yeah I’m intrigued to see how it plays out.
Obviously the PL is far more physical than Serie A so will be a good test for him.
Ironically, we’ve been linked quite heavily with Milinković-Savić over the past few seasons as well.
Wouldn‘t be surprised if we signed him within the next year.
Terrific signing for Chelsea. He’s still one of the best CBs in the world. Lets see how he adapts to the pace of the prem.
Nope he is staying put at City.
Who isnt more like...
Kounde deal being looked at again apparently. Aside from that Gvardiol. Pau Torres. de Ligt of course.... Quite a few
We would not pay what City were asking and walked away. There are better players available for what City was demanding.
Amazed at the speed this was concluded, felt ADL would never let him go. We spent 2 summers chasing him only to end up with Harry Maguire instead 
Think his hand was forced due to Koulibaly only having a year left on his contractAmazed at the speed this was concluded, felt ADL would never let him go. We spent 2 summers chasing him only to end up with Harry Maguire instead
One of the few defenders on FIFA who is actually fast.
What is this mind trick they're playing? blatant copy of Toys R Us.
A player who had some below par seasons but was quality last year every time I watched him play. It feels like a lot of people don't watch a lot of football outside the Premier League and give the league some sort of mythical status which just isn't true. I think he'll slot in just fine and be a good solid signing for Chelsea.
He’s immense. He’ll be incredible for them.
Don't think he'll be a star but equally don't think he'll be poor. Good signing with the holes they had, but not someone who will drive them to a PL and CL.
Overall strikes me as a 7/10 signing.
Overall strikes me as a 7/10 signing.
Napoli squeezed so many years out of him when he has been looking to leave for years. Happy for him, hope he enjoys the new experience, but not too much obviously.