Senegalese centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly has taken a swipe at Chelsea after completing his £17 million transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal.
The 32-year-old, who joined from Napoli for £30 million last year, will join forces with former Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Ruben Neves at Al-Hilal on a three-year contract.
Koulibaly’s departure from Stamford Bridge occurred only a year after his £30 million transfer from Napoli. During his time at Chelsea, the 32-year-old defender encountered difficulties adapting to English football, participating in only 23 league matches and receiving a red card in his third game.
Subsequent to his move to Al-Hilal, Koulibaly took a swipe at Chelsea in an interview with Corriere dello Sport, he said:
“I had no guarantees to get regular playing time [at Chelsea]. I was always professional but I don’t like to sit on the bench doing nothing.”
“I prefer a place where I am wanted and at the centre of the project and can be an example for young players. The Premier League is fantastic and there are great players.”
“They [Chelsea] expected the Koulibaly of Napoli, but I think my season was not so bad. I needed time and in one year I couldn’t prove what I wanted because of the coach’s and club’s choices.”
Koulibaly has departed Chelsea and completed a move to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, following in the footsteps of his former teammate N’Golo Kante.
The Senegalese defender fell out of favour under Frank Lampard and was not included in Mauricio Pochettino’s plans for the upcoming season.
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Pochettino still has several options in defence, including Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile, Wesley Fofana, and Thiago Silva.
Additionally, Chelsea will welcome loane players Levi Colwill, Ethan Ampadu, and Malang Sarr back to their squad. Alongside Koulibaly, Hakim Ziyech and Edouard Mendy are also expected to make complete their moves to Saudi Arabia in the upcoming days.
