Chelsea news: Kalidou Koulibaly has reacted to being dropped to the bench in Graham Potter’s first game in charge of the Blues.
Koulibaly joined Chelsea in the 2022 summer transfer window as the Blues bolstered their defensive department. Chelsea signed Koulibaly from Italian side Napoli for £40m.
Koulibaly’s performances for Chelsea so far have been mixed, just like the club’s. The 31-year-old has so far featured in six games for the Stamford Bridge outfit this season.
Koulibaly was a regular under Thomas Tuchel, who Chelsea sacked after their defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League. The London outfit have since appointed Graham Potter as their new manager.
Chelsea news: Koulibaly reacts to Potter dropping him to the bench
In Potter’s first game in charge of Chelsea, the Blues manager dropped Koulibaly to the bench. Potter opted for a back three, with Marc Cucurella, Thiago Silva & Cesar Azpilicueta making the cut.
Koulibaly was an unused substitute in that game as Chelsea and RB Salzburg played out a 1-1 draw in the Champions League.
Reacting to Potter’s decision to bench him, Koulibaly said he has to show in training that he deserves to play and earn the manager’s trust.
Koulibaly also praised Potter, who he said has come up with good ideas and did some good things at Brighton & Hove Albion, the club he left to join Chelsea.
What did Koulibaly say?
“The new coach came with some good ideas,” Koulibaly told Le Quotidien. “He’s a real coach. He did some good things with Brighton. Now he is Chelsea’s manager.
“He has guidelines and expectations. It’s up to me to be patient, it’s up to me to show that I deserve to play, to show in training that the coach can trust me. There will be no problem.
Koulibaly also expressed optimism that he will play again once he is at 100% at his new club. The defender added: “We are also in the first weeks, it is normal for the coach to rely on players who are used to the emblem of Chelsea and who have been there for a very long time. When I’m at 100%, there will be no problems. I will play again.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea sits seventh in the Premier League points table with 10 points from their first six fixtures in the English top-flight this season. They are eight points behind league leaders Arsenal, who have played a game more.
