Kalidou Koulibaly is confident he will prove his worth in a Chelsea shirt - and wants to start by silencing Olivier Giroud.
The ex-Arsenal striker, 36, has scored six goals for AC Milan in 11 games so far this season and is set to bring his Champions League cutting edge to Stamford Bridge. But Koulibaly aims to counter that with his experience in what he hopes will be his first game under new Chelsea boss Graham Potter.
“It’s true Giroud is a big player,” he said. "He showed it in Serie A last year, he scored a lot of goals. At Chelsea, he used to score a lot of goals. I think he did good work winning the Scudetto with AC Milan.
"He is a dangerous striker and we have to always keep aware of him because he can score at any time. We know it will be a tough game for the defenders but we will be ready to win this game because it’s most important tomorrow that he doesn’t score and that Chelsea win.”
Koulibaly signed for Chelsea on a four-year deal from Serie A side Napoli in July. He was the second signing of the Todd Boehly era and had already captained his national team to victory at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
But he has yet to play under Potter. He has insisted, however, he is not concerned. “It’s true I haven’t played yet with the new manager but I’m easy, I know my time will come.
“We have a lot of games and I will give everything in training. I am a big worker and when I don’t play, I like to put all my energy into my work.
"We know when we change managers it is tough for the group and the players. Mr Potter came with his ideas, and he has spoken with us and what he wants on and off the pitch. So I have to keep on working, stay passionate and my time will come.”
Potter is similarly relaxed about Koulibaly’s position within the squad, having offered an impressive response to being left out of the side. The Chelsea boss said: “Firstly, I’ve been really impressed with him.
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"As a person, he is honest and understands his situation in terms of having to wait a bit to play, which every player will say they are not so happy with.
“Then it’s how you respond and his response has been fantastic. He has been very hard working and honest, has trained very well.
"He has come from a club and country that he was very familiar with and comfortable with and making the step into the Premier League is not so easy.
“Things have happened in terms of changes at the club so it’s not been the perfect situation for him. But he is a top player and top persona and with that character, he will play an important role for us that is for sure.”
