Ex-Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly reveals Partenopei boss Francesco Calzona ‘helped’ him in difficult moments at Chelsea, after his transfer from the Stadio Maradona.
The Senegal international is currently under contract with Saudi side Al Hilal, but he’s made history at Napoli, where he played from 2014 until 2022, collecting 317 appearances and scoring 14 goals.
The 32-year-old has released an interview with Sunday’s printed edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport, talking about his ex-club and their new coach, Calzona. The Italian tactician worked with Koulibaly at Napoli from 2015 until 2018 when he was Maurizio Sarri’s assistant.
“His contract expires at the end of the season, but I hope he stays with Napoli for two or three years,” said Koulibaly on page 16.
“He deserved this chance for many years. He did a great job at Slovakia as they qualified for the Euros. He dared to ask if he could help Napoli, given his bond. He has the quality to do well.
“Ciccio arrived at the right moment,” continued Koulibaly. “He’s the coach Napoli needed. His tactic is the same as Sarri’s and everyone [at Napoli] knows it. Calzona has left his mark, and I am happy because he’s helped me even during difficult moments at Chelsea.”
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Koulibaly only spent one season at Stamford Bridge, scoring two goals in 32 appearances before signing for Al-Hilal last summer.
The experienced defender revealed Calzona convinced him to stay at Napoli after his first season at the Stadio Maradona where he had struggled with playing time under Rafa Benitez.
“Not many know it, but when he arrived at Napoli with Sarri, I wanted to leave,” revealed Koulibaly.
“I had offers and I wanted to go. He came to me and asked: ‘I don’t understand, why do you want to leave?’ I explained that I needed regular playing time and a coach that relied on me. He said: ‘If you correct two or three things and follow my and Sarri’s advice, you’ll have chances to play many matches.’ I replied: ‘You are not the coach, you are his assistant, you can’t make him change his mind.’
“He insisted that I was wrong. And he was right. He did everything to keep me at Napoli and, alongside Sarri, he changed my career.”
Calzona has collected two wins and three draws in his opening five games in charge of Napoli.