‘Since he’s been at Chelsea’: ESPN pundit suggests £33m Blues player has been so much worse this season

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Stewart Robson thinks the form Kalidou Koulibaly has shown since joining Chelsea in the summer has been so much worse than his levels at Napoli.

Koulibaly, who spent eight years in Italy with Napoli, has built up a reputation as one of Europe’s top centre-backs.

Therefore, many Blues supporters were very excited when he completed a £33million transfer to Stamford Bridge at the start of this season.

Unfortunately, the 31-year-old has had a tough opening few months in English football.

The Senegal defender has had a stop-start time due to injuries, while on the pitch his form has been inconsistent.

Kalidou Koulibaly form

ESPN pundit Robson has criticised Chelsea’s No.26 for the way he’s performed this season, suggesting he’s got so much worse since last year at Napoli.

“The one player I always liked when he was playing for Napoli is Koulibaly. He’s had his injury problems since he’s been at Chelsea, but he hasn’t been the formidable defender that he was when he was at Napoli,” Robson told ESPN.

Some players do take longer than others to adapt to a new league, so let’s hope this is nothing more than teething problems.

He’s part of the Senegal squad for the World Cup tournament during this winter break, which could be a great opportunity for him to refocus and get back on track.

Chelsea fans shouldn’t yet write off a player that was outstanding for so long at Napoli.

Graham Potter spoke very highly about Koulibaly back in October, claiming he’s a “top player” that really impresses him.

If he can rediscover somewhere near his best form, there is definitely a spot open for him in the backline.

Many tipped him to be the natural successor to Antonio Rudiger in the Blues line-up, something which may still be the case post-World Cup.

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