Kalidou Koulibaly has yet to play a minute under Graham Potter, and the new head coach has explained why that has been the case and detailed how the defender has reacted to being omitted.
Wesley Fofana and Thiago Silva were selected for the late show at Crystal Palace on Saturday, and in Potter’s first game, the Champions League draw with RB Salzburg, that duo were joined by Cesar Azpilicueta in a back three.
Koulibaly and Potter were on press conference duty at Stamford Bridge today ahead of our next European outing, AC Milan the visitors tomorrow, with the Senegalese defender insisting he was relaxed about his current predicament. When asked earlier, Potter stressed how pleased he has been with how Koulibaly has dealt with his absence.
‘I’ve been really impressed with him,’ said Potter.
‘As a person he is honest, and he understands his situation in terms of having to wait a little bit to play. Every player will say they’re not happy with that, but it’s how you respond. His response has been fantastic, very hard-working, very honest, and he’s trained really well.
‘He’s come from a club and a country he was very familiar with and comfortable with. Making the step into the Premier League is not so easy. Things have happened with changes at the club, so it’s not the perfect situation for him, but he’s a top player and a top person. With that character, he will play an important role for us, that’s for sure.’
Another player who has already had a significant impact under Potter is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The striker opened his Chelsea account at Selhurst Park with a clinical finish, and the head coach believes Auba's adaption to life at the Bridge is going well as he and his family try to move on from the horrific armed assault they endured in Barcelona this summer.
‘The best thing for him is to play football, put that incident behind him as quickly as possible, and be in a place where he feels comfortable and happy,’ Potter said.
‘From what I’ve seen, I think he feels that here. He’s acted really professionally. He’s always happy with the group and his team-mates, so I’ve been really impressed with him.
‘What happened was horrific, but I can only think about he conducts himself with us, and he’s been perfect.’