How Jorginho and Mendy persuaded Koulibaly to join Chelsea

Cameron Smith

21 Jul 2022 22:12 BST
3 min read

Kalidou Koulibaly, Napoli, 2021/22 — © ProShots

Chelsea new boy Kalidou Koulibaly was persuaded to join Thomas Tuchel's side by both Jorginho and Edouard Mendy, with the pair playing a pivotal role in ensuring the transfer went through.

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Koulibaly, 31, has completed his €40 million move from Napoli to Chelsea and has already begun training with his new team-mates as the Blues' pre-season prep ramps up with the Premier League season opener against Everton drawing ever closer.

The Senegalese defender became Chelsea's second signing of the summer upon making the switch from Serie A to the Premier League, joining Raheem Sterling in arriving at the club this window.

Koulibaly was one of several key centre-back targets on Chelsea's shortlist following the exits of Antonio Rudiger, to Real Madrid, and Andreas Christensen, to Barcelona.

Sevilla's Jules Kounde is still a player that Chelsea are chasing, while Nathan Ake and Matthijs de Ligt were both wanted earlier in the transfer window.

The Blues are keen to dip further into the defender market, but so far Koulibaly is their only acquisition in the backline.

Koulibaly has been expected to make a move to the Premier League for some time, with Manchester United seeing a bid turned down in 2018, and Chelsea themselves identifying him as a transfer target under Maurizio Sarri.

The role of Jorginho and Mendy

He has only made the move to England now, and it came via some help from two Chelsea stars: Jorginho and Edouard Mendy.

© ProShots - Jorginho played with Kalidou Koulibaly at Napoli

The former played with Koulibaly at Napoli, with the two becoming good friends within the dressing room, while the latter is Koulibaly's international team-mate with Senegal.

His friendship with the pair was noted and the new signing admitted to Chelsea's official club website that they played a big role in the transfer. Koulibaly said: "I speak a lot with them both.

"Jorgi actually texted me and asked if I wanted to come to Chelsea! At the time, I wasn’t sure if they wanted me but of course, I said I would come with pleasure.

"It was the same with Edou, he asked me the question and I told him it was already done and I would see him soon! Now I’m here, I’m really happy to start this exciting journey. The squad looks great with a good mix of younger players and those with more experience."

Despite turning 31 in June, Koulibaly's new boss is confident he is the right profile for Chelsea. Tuchel said: "It’s nice that he takes the challenge right now. And we have Thiago Silva, who is even older and super-experienced and still at the peak of his game. We hope Koulibaly can do the same and play for many years for us.

"He is totally fit and ready for the challenge and he needs to be because we need him in top shape."