Chelsea legend backs Koulibaly

Koulibaly is the second signing of the Todd Beohly era, joining Raheem Sterling in signing for Thomas Tuchel's Blues.

Koulibaly is the second signing of the Todd Beohly era [Getty]

Roberto Di Matteo has backed defender Kalidou Koulibaly to be a success at Chelsea FC, labelling the Blues new signing as a ‘top player’.

The Chelsea legend Di Matteo reckons the Senegalese is in prime form, having watched his career in Serie A, and believes he will have a positive impact on Thomas Tuchel’s side.

The 31-year-old played his first game following his move from Napoli to Stamford Bridge in Chelsea’s 4-0 loss to Arsenal on Monday night.

‘Koulibaly and Sterling and two brilliant signings,’ Di Matteo told Chelsea's Official website. ‘I think they are going to be very important for the team this season and for the future.

‘They are two players that I think will have a big impact at the club and I’m sure the coach knows them very well in terms of how he wants to utilise them.

‘I think they will bring a lot of quality into the side, for sure.

‘Being Italian, I watch Italian football quite a lot and with regards to Koulibaly, he’s a top-class player.

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‘He will bring physicality, which you need in the Premier League, but also he has a lot of technical ability and he has the tactical awareness that you see from the Italian sides in Serie A.

‘So I think he be a good signing for Chelsea. I feel like we are getting a top player who is in the prime of his career, so I can only see positive things.’

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