£300k-a-week star has ‘failed to settle in London’ at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea star Kalidou Koulibaly has ‘failed to settle in London’ since completing a big-money move to Stamford Bridge last summer, journalist Simon Phillips has told GiveMeSport.

The central defender arrived in west London after sealing a £33million switch from Serie A giants Napoli, but he has struggled to reproduce his best form.

Chelsea transfer news – Kalidou Koulibaly

According to the Evening Standard, Koulibaly could be among a number of big-name casualties as Chelsea prepare for a summer clear-out.

The report suggests the Blues may look to offload the Senegal international just 12 months after his acquisition and there is hope a return to Italy would be on the cards after his successful spell with Napoli.

Reliable journalist Phillips recently told GiveMeSport that a move to Inter Milan could be an option at the end of the season and Chelsea would be open to sanctioning his departure if he remains unhappy.

It is understood that the Blues were also willing to sell the 31-year-old during the January transfer window, but he has remained at Stamford Bridge.

Koulibaly’s contract, which is worth £300,000-per-week, is not due to expire until the summer of 2026.

What has Simon Phillips said about Koulibaly?

Phillips understands that Koulibaly has struggled to adjust since relocating to London and it has had a major impact on his form.

The journalist feels the former Genk man is low on confidence due to struggling with issues off the pitch.

Phillips told GiveMeSport: “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.”

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Should Chelsea sell Koulibaly in the summer?

According to Sofascore, Koulibaly has averaged 2.7 clearances, 1.8 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per Premier League outing this season.

Those figures emphasise that he has been putting in some impressive performances in a Chelsea shirt, but the £35million addition of Benoit Badiashile last month has given head coach Graham Potter more options in the heart of the backline.

FBref statistics show the January arrival has a better pass completion rate than Koulibaly this term, while he also averages more interceptions and clearances.

That puts the Senegalese star’s hopes of securing regular game-time under serious threat despite him heading to Chelsea having shone over the course of a 317-game career with Napoli.

Badiashile’s move to Stamford Bridge means the Blues may be better off selling Koulibaly, who has made 20 appearances since the campaign got underway, if he is still struggling to adjust to life in London by the time the transfer window reopens.

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