Tuchel finally confirms when Sterling and Koulibaly will play their first game as Chelsea player as Koulibaly reacted
Thomas Tuchel, the manager of Chelsea, has finally provided some information regarding the start dates for the newest Chelsea signings Sterling and Koulibaly.
However, Raheem Sterling, though, is expected to feature in his first game for Chelsea on Wednesday night against Charlotte FC, according to reports.
The England forward, who was acquired from Manchester City last week for £47.5 million, might start the game as Thomas Tuchel intensifies his squad’s preseason training. Raheem is definitely ready to go, according to Tuchel. He will be on the field, which makes me delighted, and he is eager to play his first game.
But new signing Kalidou Koulibaly is unlikely to feature with the Senegal international defender not yet at the level of his new team-mates in terms of his pre-season.
Tuchel said: “We are a bit torn. He has done some training sessions with us but he is still in a very individual programme so no double sessions on the pitch.
“He trains with the team but of course as you can imagine there are players who are in their third week of preparation and at a completely different level of foundation physically. That is not a good match for him to start, with a team and straight away play. I don’t want to rule it out completely but it is very likely that he will not play, we will not see him on the pitch.”
However, Koulibaly has acknowledged that it has been difficult for him to live up to the expectations set for him following his £34 million transfer from Napoli. The Senegal international has a stellar reputation that was cemented by Aurelio De Laurentiis’ allegation that he rejected a record £85 million deal for Koulibaly three years ago and instead valued the center-back for $250!
Koulibaly is now prepared to demonstrate why all the hoopla was made. I already have a personal task, he declared. “It’s a significant step to move from Serie A to the Premier League, and everyone is waiting for me to play and demonstrate my talent there.
“I have to show that I am the player they think I am. To make it with Chelsea will be easier as it is already a big team with big players. They will make my work easier. I want to show the supporters that I am the player they were waiting for, to win a lot of titles with Chelsea.
“I will try to give my experience. I played eight years at Napoli. I played Champions League and some important games. But I’ve come here to understand how the Premier League is. It is different football. The most important thing is that the young players have to find it easy to play their football so I will give the solidity to them.”