Thomas Tuchel sent honest Kalidou Koulibaly message as Chelsea complete perfect £34m transfer

Edouard Mendy has heaped praise on fellow countryman Kalidou Koulibaly following the defender's move to Chelsea. The 31-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge for the best part of five years and, after an intense contract dispute with Napoli, the Blues finally had a £34million bid accepted.

Koulibaly has penned a four-year deal in west London and Mendy has told Thomas Tuchel why the club have a lot to look forward to, despite having suffered a defensive exodus this summer. Speaking to the official Chelsea website, the Blues' shot-stopper said: "I’ve known Kalidou for a while now. 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 good addition."

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Koulibaly featured 27 times for Luciano Spalletti's side in the Serie A last season, steering Gli Azzurri towards a title charge. The Senegal international is a defender of great pedigree who played a significant role - alongside Mendy - as Senegal lifted the Africa Cup of Nations in February.

Having spent a lot of time together, the Chelsea goalkeeper added by explaining how his new teammate will bolster the Blues on and off the pitch. Mendy said: "He is a guy who likes the responsibility but also he can joke with everyone, so we need this kind of person. And I think everybody's going to be