The Pride of London
Fansided

Chelsea’s defensive rock Kalidou Koulibaly: Who the hell are you? (Vol. 22)

By Olaoluwa Nwobodo

STADIO OLIMPICO GRANDE TORINO, TURIN, ITALY - 2022/05/07: Kalidou Koulibaly (L) of SSC Napoli is challenged by Andrea Belotti of Torino FC during the Serie A football match between Torino FC and SSC Napoli. SSC Napoli won 1-0 over Torino FC. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images)
STADIO OLIMPICO GRANDE TORINO, TURIN, ITALY - 2022/05/07: Kalidou Koulibaly (L) of SSC Napoli is challenged by Andrea Belotti of Torino FC during the Serie A football match between Torino FC and SSC Napoli. SSC Napoli won 1-0 over Torino FC. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
BARCELONA, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 17: Pierre Emerick Aubameyang of Barcelona vie for the ball with Kalidou Koulibaly of Napoli during the UEFA Europa League Knockout Round Play-Off Leg One match between FC Barcelona and SSC Napoli at Camp Nou on February 17, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Pablo Morano/MB Media/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 17: Pierre Emerick Aubameyang of Barcelona vie for the ball with Kalidou Koulibaly of Napoli during the UEFA Europa League Knockout Round Play-Off Leg One match between FC Barcelona and SSC Napoli at Camp Nou on February 17, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Pablo Morano/MB Media/Getty Images) /

2. Is he any good?

Koulibaly has been one of the best centerbacks in world football for the past half decade at least. His athleticism and reading of the game is top notch, hence many top clubs pursuing him over the years. The veteran is not just a good defender either, he also has a knack for contributing at the other end of the pitch. The Senegalese centerback scored and assisted six goals last season (three goals and three assists), as well, which is an impressive tally for a central defender.

According to fbref, Koulibaly made 1.5 interceptions per 90 last season and averaged 3.8 tackles plus interceptions per 90. He also racked up an impressive 1.1 blocked shots per 90. Napoli played a possession-based style of football last season—in fact, it had the highest possession on average in the Serie A—so he should therefore not be expected to have a high volume of defensive actions to show. Koulibaly played and started 27 league games during the previous campaign, keeping 11 clean sheets, and he missed four games due to injury. His discipline is excellent as he tries to always be in position, often leaving him as the last man in defense.

Koulibaly’s passing is one of his strengths too. He averaged a 60% long passing accuracy across the last four league seasons, according to SofaScore. That’s a high number considering centerback passing maestro Virgil van Dijk has averaged about 55% in that time frame. The accuracy is not high for a lack of volume either, as he averaged 4.3 long balls per game in those four seasons. Koulibaly is left footed and this means that while he can and has always played in a two-centerback formation, he can also play as a left centerback or a middle centerback in a three centerback formation. His versatility will be key in the eyes of Thomas Tuchel.

The former Napoli key defender is also good at winning duels, winning 56% of his total duels on average in the past four league seasons. His aerial prowess is not as good as can be though, as he has averaged a 54% aerial success rate. He’s six-foot-two, and at that height, he should be winning at least 60-65% of his aerial duels as a centerback. Koulibaly’s aerial numbers are the only thing not exemplary about him—he’s superb in nearly every other aspect of play.

Home/Chelsea FC News