Speaking to the media for the first time since becoming the Blues’ newest defender, Koulibaly had pointed out his brother Abdoulaye is a big Chelsea fan and is delighted with his move.

Taking the memories further, he recalls his brother visiting him at his former club Napoli where the name Gianfranco Zola, a legend both in that city and at Stamford Bridge, was mentioned. Abdoulaye was suddenly very interested.

‘He said he wants to meet him, and this is the first thing I think of when he speaks about Chelsea with me,’ Koulibaly says.

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‘When I was younger, I used to watch the games, like when Didier Drogba came from Marseille to London and to Chelsea, it was a big step, and when they won the Champions League and he scored the penalty, it was everything on mind, so when I signed and he texted me, I was really happy.

‘When some legends like him, Gianfranco Zola and John Terry text me and told me I made a good choice, I am really thankful to them, and I want to show them that I will give everything for this club and can be a really important player for this team.’

Koulibaly has confirmed he will be wearing the 26 shirt and has spoken to JT about taking on his famous number. The Senegal captain has also explained why the number is important to him.

He had begun his career at Metz wearing No.25 and then No.5 in Belgium at Genk. When he moved to Napoli neither of those numbers were available.

‘So I spoke with my family and with my wife Charline and with everybody and I was born on 20 June, so 20/6, and my wife was born the same day in the same hospital in the same city as me so I decided to take the 26.’