Kalidou Koulibaly

[khaled_a_d]

Soyuncu is dung

Didn't watch him lately, probably my info is outdated them

 

[te amo barca]

Didn't watch him lately, probably my info is outdated them

He's been abysmal, one of the worst CBs in the EPL right now. Lenglet-style implosion

 

[fergus90]

Soyuncu was very good last season but been a blunder merchant this season. In fact his decline has been pretty shocking compared to how he was performing.

 

[RF20]

The ship for Koulibaly going to Europe's biggest clubs might have sailed now.

Should have left while he had the chance to.

What a shame! He had everything needed in a CB. Loved watching the guy.

The man's career almost reads like the Harry Kane of CBs

 

[iniestaGOAT]

Nah it isn't
Xavi wants him

Sign him up

 

[RF20]

Nah it isn't
Xavi wants him

Sign him up

Actually you're right for a change. This will be his last chance for a big move.

He should definitely push for it.

He'll immediately improve you guys exponentially.

 

[Messigician]

Anyone who lets us score 4 should NOT be signed

 

[vuji_31]

Don't know about lisandro.
Koilibaly is also old.

Market for CBs is really bad.

Good thing is we have many position to improve.

 

[FinBarcelonafan]

Depends on his price. CB can be still good even at 34.

 

[Messi983]

Don't know about lisandro.
Koilibaly is also old.

Market for CBs is really bad.

Good thing is we have many position to improve.

Not really, a lot of good young CBs available in Ligue 1 and BL, just need to find and sign them before they sign for another big club.

 

[Barcilliant]

We need a younger cb. Even 27-28 years old is ok but don't touch anything thirty or over unless they are bought for squad depth.

 

[Porque]

If Koulibaly come next year then we would realistically be looking at Koulibaly-Pique next season with Araujo as the rotation.

Infact whoever comes in, do you see Xavi benching Pique?

It might be ok for a few seasons if we can challenge for LL and CL but then we would be looking for TWO CBs in a few years (make that 3 if we lose Ronald In the process).

So yeah, slippery slope and price will be everything on this one.

 

[Blackened]

Had he played in a very big club instead of Napoli, how would he have been regarded? Where would he be ranked amongst the great defenders? Had he played in Barca, Real, Bayern or Liverpool, would he be up there with Ramos, Godin, VVD and co?

 

[Messi983]

Still a beast, like him very much but a bit too old imo. Even with his contract expiring in 2023 I think Napoli will still want something like 50m (at least at the start of the summer waiting for a better offer, we can't afford to wait until last days of TW for them to decide to sell and miss on other potential targets though) which is clearly too much.

We'll see what will happen next year but I wouldn't be against signing him on a 2-year contract in 2023 if he'll become a free agent and won't have too crazy demands (unlikely as this will probably be his last chance for a big pay check). Don't see Koulibaly as a realistic target for this summer though.

Reports now are we're close to sign Christensen, if Azpi comes as well then I don't see us signing another CB. Pique is playing good enough to think he'll stay another year so with him, Araujo, Eric, Christensen, Azpi (who can cover both RB and CB) we have solid depth. Still need a world class CB imo but think we'll have to wait with that until 2023 if we're serious about getting Haaland this year.

 

[RF20]

Had he played in a very big club instead of Napoli, how would he have been regarded? Where would he be ranked amongst the great defenders? Had he played in Barca, Real, Bayern or Liverpool, would he be up there with Ramos, Godin, VVD and co?

A little below those 3. More error prone than VVD and Godin. More disciplined than Ramos.

Ok I'll explain in FIFA-esque terms for clarity and easier reference.

Say in their best season, those 3 were like 91/100 overall rating.

Koulibaly would be an 88-89. Easily world class and a top 3 CB itw in his Prime.

He's decent on the ball but as a pure defender, he's amazing. Strong as an ox, great at tackling and intelligent at marking and tactical awareness. Very complete defensively and more than good enough on the ball. Plus has leadership traits and a warrior mentality. Wasted his career at Napoli imo.

Koulibaly at his best is a better defender than Varane at his best and Pique at his best(defensively; Pique way better on the ball).Koulibaly could have been one of the best CBs of this generation.