‘These 3 players will be very solid for Chelsea next season’ – Paul Merson backs Tuchel
Kalidou Koulibaly has joined Chelsea, and a deal for Jules Kounde is almost complete.
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel prioritized the defense in the summer transfer window after Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen left.
However, Paul Merson, a football analyst, has praised the defensive additions made by Chelsea and thinks that the three of Thiago Silva, Koulibaly, and Kounde will be tough for the team.
Paul Merson wrote for Sportskeeda: “Chelsea have already signed Kalidou Koulibaly and Raheem Sterling and if rumours are to be believed, Sevilla defender Jules Kounde is close to joining the club.
“The likes of Kounde and Koulibaly alongside Thiago Silva as part of a back three is as solid as it gets, while Trevoh Chalobah, Malang Sarr and the likes could be termed as able deputies.
“That backline has got it all, the only thing you can say is that neither Koulibaly nor Silva are particularly young.”
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is pleased with the signing of Koulibaly, and is glad that the 31-year-old got a four-year contract.
Asked if giving Koulibaly a four year contract means the club think he can play at his peak for years to come, Tuchel said: “That’s what we believe, and that’s what he is here for.
“There were always rumours about him leaving Napoli, and it was always super difficult – and in the end impossible – to get him because he was a key player.
“It’s nice 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 Kalidou 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.”