Thomas Tuchel reveals how Chelsea squad reacted to Kalidou Koulibaly transfer

Thomas Tuchel believes Kalidou Koulibaly is a ‘brilliant signing’ for Chelsea and says the the former Napoli defender will bring ‘quality and experience’ to his defence at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea completed a £33m deal for Koulibaly on Saturday, with the Senegal international signing a four-year deal in west London.

Koulibaly spent almost a decade at Napoli, making 317 appearances for the Italian side and establishing himself as one of the best defenders in Serie A.

Tuchel was desperate to bolster his defensive options after seeing Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen depart at the end of the 2021-22 season.

Discussing Chelsea’s move for Koulibaly, Tuchel said: ‘He brings experience, quality, top defending quality, height, and everything we’re looking for to play a back three or four.

‘It’s another brilliant signing for us and we hope he can show his quality as soon as possible. He’s now training outside, he arrived yesterday.

‘He knows some of the players, I think it will be very quick that he feels welcome in the group. It’s a nice group and everybody is very happy that he’s with us now.’

Koulibaly’s Senegal team-mate Edouard Mendy has also reacted to his move to Chelsea, describing the defender as a ‘top player’.

‘I’ve known Kalidou for a while now,’ Blues goalkeeper Mendy said. ‘He was the first one who welcomed me in the national team so we were in the same room at first, when I first met him, when I got my first call-up, so the feeling was amazing.

‘If you talk about his qualities on the pitch, I think I will let the people and the Chelsea fans see this player and I hope they will enjoy watching him.

‘He’s a top player, as everybody knows, but he is a top person and that’s why in the dressing room he’s a very