The former Napoli center-back was lauded after appearing in Arsenal’s pre-season loss.
Former Chelsea manager Robert Di Matteo has praised Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly as a world-class player in his prime.
Koulibaly recently joined the Premier League club from Napoli, and Di Matteo has highlighted how the Africa Cup of Nations winner will benefit the London club.
“As an Italian, I watch a lot of Italian football, and Koulibaly is a top-class player,” Di Matteo told the club’s website.
“He will bring physicality, which you need in the Premier League, but he also has a lot of technical ability and he has the tactical awareness that you see from the Italian sides in Serie A.
“So, I think he [would] be a good signing for Chelsea. I feel like we are getting a top player who is in the prime of his career, so I can only see positive things.”
Koulibaly and Raheem Sterling are Chelsea’s high-profile summer signings so far, and Di Matteo is confident the two will have a positive impact on the Blues.
“Koulibaly and Sterling are two brilliant signings,” said Di Matteo. “I think they are going to be very important for the team this season and for the future,” the retired defender said.
“They are two players that I think will have a big impact at the club, and I’m sure the coach knows them very well in terms of how he wants to utilise them.
“I think they will bring a lot of quality to the side, for sure.”
Both Koulibaly and Sterling featured in the 4-0 pre-season loss to Arsenal, and Blues manager Thomas Tuchel praised the former for his cameo display.
“He was the best player. He was incredibly good, I have to say. On an evening where nothing felt good, this felt very good,” the German tactician said.
Chelsea are set to play Italian side Udinese on July 29 in another friendly match before the league season starts when they take on Everton on August 6.
