Kalidou Koulibaly exits Chelsea to become latest star name joining Saudi Pro League
Chelsea have announced the sale of Kalidou Koulibaly to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, having spent just one year at the club. The Senegalese centre-back was much sought-after during his time at Napoli in Serie A but it was the Stamford Bridge club who eventually landed him last summer for an estimated £34 million. However, a chaotic campaign saw the 32-year-old play under four different managers as the Todd Boehly and Clearlake era got off to a tumultuous start and, ultimately, a desperately poor 2022/23 season. A large turnover of transfers was expected this summer at Chelsea after well over half a billion pounds was spent across the course of the past year, and Koulibaly thus becomes the latest exit - and the latest star playing in Europe who has decided to join the Saudi Pro League and the vast sums suddenly on offer there. Following Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr midway through last term, Karim Benzema followed his former teammate with a switch from Real Madrid to Al-Ittihad earlier this month. And Koulibaly isn’t even the first Chelsea player to tread this path either, with N’Golo Kante moving from west London to the same team as Benzema last week. Meanwhile, Mateo Kovacic is soon to complete a move to Manchester City as the overhaul continues under new head coach Mauricio Pochettino. Even so, the departure of Koulibaly is a notable one. Koulibaly was initially a starter under Thomas Tuchel last autumn and was seen as a big coup for the club, but he fell out of favour under Graham Potter. The one match under Bruno Sartor saw Koulibaly play in the middle of a three-man defence, before Frank Lampard’s terrible run as interim boss saw a return to a four-man system, with Koulibaly in and out during that period. In total he played 23 times in the Premier League and made 32 appearances in all competitions, scoring twice. During the middle of his sole season with the Blues he also captained Senegal at the World Cup, scoring once before defeat to England in the knockouts. A short statement on the Chelsea website read: “We would like to thank Kalidou for his contributions on and off the pitch during his time at Stamford Bridge and wish him well for the next stage of his career.” As for Koulibaly’s new team, Al-Hilal finished third in the table this past season and their key players for the campaign included former Porto forward Moussa Marega and Saudi national team skipper Salem Al-Dawsari, who scored twice at the Qatar World Cup including the winner against Argentina. Former Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo was also at the club last season but has now departed. Read More Football rumours: Man United end pursuit of Harry Kane over ‘unrealistic’ fee Football rumours: Wilfried Zaha eyes move to Paris St Germain Arteta hypes up Arsenal progress despite pain of losing title race Arteta hypes up Arsenal progress despite pain of losing title race On this day in 2012: Joey Barton stripped of captaincy by QPR Brendan Rodgers regrets ‘hurt’ he caused Celtic fans when he left for Leicester
2023-06-26 02:28
In a win for Black voters in redistricting case, Alabama to get new congressional lines
Alabama is headed to the first significant revamp of its congressional map in three decades after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the state’s bid to keep using a plan with a single majority-Black district
2023-09-27 12:18
Canada media guide
An overview of the media in Canada, including links to broadcasters and newspapers.
2023-07-04 23:45
At US Open, a challenge to keep fans engaged, but how to respond when they disrupt the tennis
Alexander Zverev felt he had to react when he heard a fan use language from Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime during his U.S. Open match
2023-09-07 04:59
Kentucky basketball: Undrafted Oscar Tshiebwe gets two-way contract in NBA
Kentucky basketball star Oscar Tshiebwe went undrafted at the 2023 NBA Draft but he'll get his shot with the Pacers after signing a two-way contract.NIL is changing the game in college sports. We all know that. But it's still wild to think that players can legitimately make more stayin...
2023-06-25 01:24
'Puff probably wakes up in cold sweats': Fans joke about 50 Cent's plan to produce documentary on Diddy amid assault allegations
50 Cent is reportedly creating a documentary based on old rap rival P Diddy's alleged abuse of his longstanding partner, Cassie
2023-12-02 21:23
Premier League increases matches available in live television broadcast deal
The Premier League will make around 270 matches available for live broadcast in the next domestic television cycle, in what is set to be football’s most lucrative rights sale in history. The current cycle includes 200 matches across seven packages, but the league is looking to offer more games across just five packages in its next sale. The Premier League is also breaking from tradition by looking to secure a four-year deal from 2025-26 and 2028-29, instead of the usual three-year deal. The league’s Invitation To Tender (ITT) on Wednesday evening confirmed the 3pm Saturday afternoon blackout will stay in place, but that every 2pm Sunday kick-off, including those displaced because of clubs being involved in European competition, will now be televised. Five midweek rounds will be available in the package instead of the current four (including the Boxing Day round), while the Saturday 12.30pm and 5.30pm and the Sunday 2pm and 4.30pm stay in place, along with the 8pm Monday or Friday slot. The ITT states that a minimum two broadcasters will be able to hold the live rights. Read More Warren Gatland plans to lead Wales at the 2027 World Cup Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali being investigated for alleged betting activity Who will make Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024?
2023-10-19 00:59
Emergency calls not connecting amid technical issues
Emergency 999 calls across the country are not connecting amid technical issues with the phone lines. People have been urged to call 101 in an emergency for police and fire, or 111 in a medical emergency, after problems were reported on Saturday morning. Several police forces and fire and ambulance services said they were facing issues and said BT had reported a “system failure”. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “Due to a technical fault that is impacting a number of police forces, many 999 calls are not connecting. “Until further notice, anyone in London who requires the police in an emergency is asked to call 101. “Please only call in an emergency and please wait until later to make any 101 non-emergency calls.” The spokesperson confirmed that BT runs the 999 system. It is not known how many emergency services have been affected, or when the issue will be resolved. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
2023-06-25 16:54
Summer's over for UK politicians as Sunak faces a crisis over crumbling schools
British lawmakers headed back to Parliament on Monday after their summer break
2023-09-04 22:17
World of Warcraft Dragonflight: Return to the Forbidden Reach Release Date
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2023-04-10 15:37
Alinity: Twitch streamer's $160k Aston Martin hit while parked outside new home
The Twitch streamer recently disclosed that her brand-new Aston Martin was damaged after a Mercedes crashed into it
2023-05-04 15:30
Asian markets ease as US inflation comes into view
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2023-11-27 10:52
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