Timo Werner delivers verdict on new Chelsea signing Kalidou Koulibaly after Antonio Rudiger exit

Timo Werner has heaped praise on new signing Kalidou Koulibaly, stating that he is exactly what the club need following the defensive departures the club have endured this summer.

The Senegal international signed for the Blues for a fee believed to be in the region of €40million (£33.8m) yesterday, penning a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge. He becomes Chelsea's second signing of the summer following the arrival of star forward Raheem Sterling from Manchester City.

Koulibaly spent eight years with Napoli, with 317 appearances under his belt, and Werner believes that the solidity he provides in the backline will offer the team great strength.

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"I think he's a brilliant defender. He will give us the strength in the back, which is what we need after a lot of players left us in the defence," Werner said. "So, I think he's a very good signing for the club. I think he brings exactly that what we need."

Antonio Rudiger leaving the club on a free transfer was a huge blow for Thomas Tuchel's side as the German was a commanding figure both with and without the ball. Breaking lines of opposition press through precise passing was a key trait of his that allowed the west Londoners to progress past the first phase consistently. Most noticeably, Rudiger's aggressive playing style, always eager to win the ball back high up was key to Chelsea's overall ability to sustain pressure and camp the opposition back deep inside their half.

In his absence, the club needed a reliable replacement and stylistically, Koulibaly makes plenty of sense as he possesses similar qualities to the now Real Madrid star. The 31-year-old excels in carrying the