‘Failed to settle’: 31-year-old Chelsea player is not enjoying living in London right now – journalist

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Journalist Simon Phillips has told GiveMeSport that Kalidou Koulibaly has struggled to adapt to life in London since his move to Chelsea.

The Senegal international has struggled to prove to be the dominant defender the Chelsea hierarchy were hoping for when they made him one of their first additions last summer.

He has often portrayed a chaotic presence at the back, often bringing panic either in possession or when he is being run at.

While he enjoyed a strong World Cup campaign, Koulibaly has failed to bring that form back to Stamford Bridge, and has therefore lost his place in the starting team.

He has been replaced by Benoit Badiashile, who arrived with little fanfare as part of last month’s big spend.

The Blues are yet to concede a goal when the Frenchman has been on the pitch, and he has already formed a strong relationship alongside Thiago Silva.

Koulibaly not enjoying London

Koulibaly’s drastic turn in form can apparently be put down to the change of scenery, with Phillips claiming he has failed to adapt to life in England.

He said: “I’m told that he’s failed to settle in London, at the moment, and that’s been the biggest problem for him.

“It’s affected his form, his mentality and his confidence. You can see it all on the pitch when he does get picked.”

With Wesley Fofana closing in on a return to full fitness, his place in the first team may fall even further away from the starting line-up.

Graham Potter has far preferred a back four since taking over at Chelsea, with Koulibaly’s better displays coming on the left of a three.

Even still, there is the potential that Levi Colwill brings his fantastic form for Brighton back to Stamford Bridge next season, with him also being a left-sided specialist.