Kalidou Koulibaly comments show Chelsea pull factor amid impending transfer

Chelsea have done some fine work in convincing Kalidou Koulibaly to leave Napoli.

The Blues are about to complete a deal for the highly rated centre-back, who is already in London for his medical.

Koulibaly is expected to join Chelsea on a four-year deal, taking him up to the age of 35, with the Blues expected to pay around £34million for his signature.

The Napoli star will play a big role in replacing two outgoing Chelsea defenders this summer, with both Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger both leaving at the end of their respective contracts.

The move does, however, represent a huge change in Koulibaly’s stance, with the defender suggesting he could retire at Napoli only two years ago.

He said back then: “My family is very well in Naples, and this makes me happy. If I have been here for six years, it is only thanks to them, because if they had not been well, I would have already left.

“My children speak Italian. besides French. We speak both languages ​​at home. Here we live peacefully.

“A few days ago I heard that I would leave, but here I am fine, I don’t understand why we should talk about the market when there is nothing on the horizon.”

Speaking about his future in the same interview, he added: “In football you never know what happens. I never spoke with the club to leave. If we have to find a solution, we will find it, but I have never talked about the market.

“I also read in the newspapers about my future… But I just want to think about playing, I am 100% from Napoli and it bothers me that they approach me, every day, to this or that European club.

“We will see what the President will decide, if he proposes me to extend the contract, which, therefore, would allow me to finish my career here.

“At the moment, I still have three years on my contract: there are many and I don’t think about anything other than Naples.”

From that interview to boarding a flight to London two years, Koulibaly’s stance appears to have changed significantly.

The stark change shows Chelsea’s pulling power and the draw of Thomas Tuchel, who has already won a Champions League title at Stamford Bridge.

Finances could well be a factor, too, but Koulibaly clearly puts family first, and the Blues must have been very convincing in their talks with the 31-year-old.