Kalidou Koulibaly has spoken out on his time with Chelsea, following his transfer to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, having failed to live up to expectations at Stamford Bridge.
The Senegalese defender was rated as one of the best centre-backs in Serie A before his transfer to Chelsea, but was part of a difficult season for the Blues as they finished 12th in the Premier League. His departure has seen his Blues career cut short, having made just 23 Premier League appearances during his time at Stamford Bridge.
Koulibaly was part of a £600 million spending spree at Stamford Bridge last season, with the record-breaking spend yielding limited results as chairman Todd Boehly was left admitting 'mistakes'. Koulibaly was handed a four-year deal upon his arrival but has lasted just a single season at the club.
He was signed by Thomas Tuchel, with the German sacked by Boehly in September before the arrival of Graham Potter, who was later succeeded by Frank Lampard in April. Breaking his silence after leaving Chelsea, Koulibaly was full of praise for the Premier League, but chose to criticise the club's management during a disastrous season.
Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, he said: “With Chelsea, I had a great experience. The Premier League is fantastic. Lots of intensity, lots of goals, very fast players, great talents.
"They expected the Koulibaly from Napoli, but I don’t think my season has been that bad. I needed time: in one year, I couldn’t demonstrate what I would have wanted due to the choices of the manager and the club.”
“I had no guarantees of always playing: I’ve always been serious and professional, but I don’t like being on the bench doing nothing. I prefer a place where they want me, where I’m at the centre of a project and I can be an example to young people.”
Koulibaly is just one of Chelsea's players to move to Saudi Arabia this summer, with Ngolo Kante having left the club to join Al-Ittihad.
He could be joined by fellow Blues stars Hakim Ziyech, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Edouard Mendy, with scrutiny surrounding Blues' owners Clearlake Capital's relationship to Saudi Arabia's Public Investement Fund.
The PIF, who own Newcastle United and LIV Golf have recently acquired majority stakes in the Saudi Pro League's four leading clubs, Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ahli and Al Ittihad. This has fuelled a huge recruitment drive this summer, with Koulibaly expected to be joined by many more European-based players in the coming weeks of the summer transfer window.
