\Can be overconfident\" - Rafa Benitez makes bold claims about Chelsea star"

Old Chelsea acting managing director Rafael Benitez has given his thoughts on the gild'due south new signing Kalidou Koulibaly. He as well stated that the Senegalese could be overconfident at times. He added that the defender could find it difficult to adapt to the Premier League later playing in Serie A with Napoli since 2014.

Koulibaly, 31, joined Chelsea this summer from Napoli for €twoscore million on a four-twelvemonth deal with a salary of €10 one thousand thousand per flavour.

Speaking about the Senegal helm, Benitez told The Athletic (via Metro):

"He must better his concentration at times. He can be guilty of losing focus and can be overconfident, but he has been hugely influential at Napoli and people I know and trust take told me that he has been the best centre-back in Italy during this time."

He added:

"This flavor will exist the Premier League for him and he could be fine for the way that Tuchel wants to play. He has similarities with Rudiger — he is very good at running with the ball, he'due south good with both feet."

Benitez added that while Koulibaly was good in Serie A, he could find it tough to adjust to the Premier League especially due to perceived frailties in the air. He said:

"Is he a lilliputian flake too nice? We will see what happens at Chelsea. As I said, in Italian republic he was fine because he was and so quick, but I doubtfulness he will be so dominant over here. Aerial ability wasn't his biggest strength but in Italy that mattered a bit less and he was ok."

He added:

"It will exist interesting to see how that develops in the Premier League but he was always very keen to learn. He spent time with me and my staff after training sessions to work on his heading and improving his technique."

Benitez managed Koulibaly during the former's two-year stint at Napoli and won the Coppa Italy in the 2013-14 season.

Chelsea rekindle interest in French defender

Co-ordinate to journalist Gianluca di Marzio, Chelsea have rekindled their interest in signing Sevilla center-back Jules Kounde. They came close to signing the French defender last summer merely a bargain couldn't get through.

They were interested in him before this summer as well, but the deal took a backseat later the departure of Marina Granovskaia.

EXCL: Chelsea are re-working on the signing of Jules Koundé from Sevilla, with the deal existence driven by Todd Boehly & co. It is a situation to go along an center on. The main targets are Jules Koundé and Presnel Kimpembe.
More in my article @DiMarzio

gianlucadimarzio.com/en/chelsea-swi…

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EXCL: Chelsea are re-working on the signing of Jules Koundé from Sevilla, with the deal being driven past Todd Boehly & co. It is a situation to keep an eye on. The master targets are Jules Koundé and Presnel Kimpembe. 🚨🔵🇫🇷More than in my commodity @DiMarzio 👇gianlucadimarzio.com/en/chelsea-swi… https://t.co/19NiiFqRsD

They were looking to sign Matthijs de Ligt from Juventus. All the same, the Dutchman has agreed personal terms with Bayern Munich and could join them this summertime.

Hence, Chelsea take gone back to working on signing the 23-twelvemonth-old Kounde. They will have to compete with Barcelona for the France international'south signature.

After the departure of Antonio Rudiger to Existent Madrid and Andreas Christensen to Barcelona, the Dejection are looking to bring in reinforcements this summer. They are also interested in signing Paris Saint-Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe.

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