Roberto Di Matteo has shared his view on the signings of Kalidou Koulibaly and Raheem Sterling
Chelsea legend Roberto Di Matteo, while speaking to the club’s website (h/t Metro), has said that he believes new signings Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly are very important for the team.
The former Chelsea player and manager believes that both the players are brilliant signings and will have a big impact at the club. A former midfielder, Di Matteo is a legend for Chelsea fans as he led the club to their first Champions League victory during his managerial tenure.
“Koulibaly and Sterling and two brilliant signings. I think they are going to be very important for the team this season and for the future. They are two players that I think will have a big impact at the club.”
Sterling and Koulibaly became the first and second signings respectively for Thomas Tuchel this summer. Both the players were part of the pre-season squad in the United States and have played for the club in the friendlies.
A former Liverpool player, Sterling joined Chelsea from Manchester City for a fee worth £45 million. The England international had a trophy-laden career at the Etihad, winning four Premier League titles among others. The 27-year-old made 337 appearances for the Cityzens and scored an astonishing 131 goals.
Koulibaly moved to the Bridge from Napoli for £33 million. He arrived having built up a reputation as one of the best centre-backs in Italy and maybe the world. The 31-year-old Senegal international has made 316 appearances for Napoli and has won the Coppa Italia and Africa Cup of Nations.
The two signings were quick to settle in the team and have made their debuts for the club. Their performances were one of the few positives that could be taken from their humiliating loss against Arsenal last weekend.
Tuchel is currently looking for a centre-back to partner Koulibaly and Thiago Silva. The team has finished their pre-season tour of the United States having won one game out of three. They are to play a friendly in Italy against Udinese before returning back to England.
More Chelsea News
- Financial Fair Play and playing Frenkie de Jong at centre-back may give Chelsea hope in the transfer of Dutch superstar
- Chelsea squad isn’t competitive enough as Thomas Tuchel urges for more quality players
- Napoli president reveals that Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly wanted to leave
With the new season knocking on the door, Tuchel will hope to have a team ready by then. Fans would wish to see both Koulibaly and Sterling start against Everton in Chelsea’s first match of next season.
However, it remains to be seen what approach Tuchel takes in that regard.