Kalidou Koulibaly is now a Chelsea player after sealing his long-awaited move to the Premier League this summer from Napoli.
The 31-year-old signed a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge after Chelsea paid a £34 million transfer fee to convince Napoli to part ways with the Senegal international.
Koulibaly featured for Chelsea in pre-season and could make his debut this weekend when Chelsea face Everton in their opening game of the 2022/23 Premier League season.
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He will wear the number 26 shirt for the Blues after taking the number from John Terry, who vacated the iconic shirt number when he left back in 2017.
Koulibaly was met by the media for the first time during a press conference on Wednesday, a couple days before the season gets underway, and he was quizzed about his switch from Naples, to talks with the new owners, as well as with current and former players of Chelsea.
Joining Chelsea
"It's a long time since the Premier League wanted me to come... the moment was now. Maybe before it wasn't ready. I don't like fighting to leave, I will never fight to go out. This time was a good time to leave Napoli.
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"Why Chelsea? I think they were the only club that really wanted me to come. The timing was good. The stars were in a good line, so I came here. I'm very happy to be here.
"I hope I will be here for a long time. I want to show on the pitch that they made a good choice with me. I will do my best. I want to show everybody that they made a good choice. This team is fantastic.
"At 31, I'm at a good moment, in a good city, in a good club. I want, and will stay long here."
Replacing Antonio Rudiger
"Antonio is a really good player.
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"I know what he did for Chelsea. I used to play against him when he was at Roma. He did a lot at Chelsea and I’m happy for him when he joined Real Madrid, but for me it’s not pressure.
"I don’t want to be the guy who is replacing Rudiger. I am Koulibaly, another player, not the same player, I don’t play like him. I have different skills, another style, another idea of football, so I will try to do my best to give solidity to the team."
Todd Boehly talks
"They gave me a big, good impression. They are American, when I talk with the owner, he told me he wanted me. He didn't have a big discussion. He told me he wanted me to be part of a new era. Maybe I'm new, but everything is with the new owner."
John Terry phone call
"Was nervous a bit as I was waiting to sign my contract with Chelsea. I wanted to know which number was free... the manager didn't tell me about the no.26. Nobody took it since 2017.
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"So I asked Gianfranco Zola, who told me the story of Chelsea, the number for John to ask him for the jersey. He gave me the number and I called him.
"At the beginning he didn't believe that it was me, he thought it was a joke. He called the team manager to ask if it was me.
"I know it's an important number... when he told me yes I was very happy. I know what he did for the club, city supporters."
Edouard Mendy and Jorginho relationship
"Edou is a brother for me. We talk a lot about Chelsea when we are in national team, like Napoli. When he was on vacation, he text me 'come play with me, it'll be fun'. Jorginho the same. So it's a double pressure. It's not bad, I like them, nice guys.
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"I spent a lot of years at Napoli with Jorginho. When he asked me to come, I was not sure as I didn't know if the owner wanted me to come. When I had the chance, I was really happy.
"When I told him I signed, he and we were all happy. Our families can spend time together here in London. I missed Jorginho a lot when he left Napoli."
Topics: Kalidou Koulibaly, Chelsea, Football
Matthew Debono