Chelsea’s Kalidou Koulibaly has said he will continue to represent his national team, Senegal, at every Africa Cup of Nations irrespective of comments by relevant stakeholders in the sport.
“Nobody can tell me not to go to my national team. I have a lot of love for my national team, the team that I play for. But me, now as captain of Senegal, when AFCON comes I have to be the first one there, the first one in Senegal.”
His comment comes in the wake of Aurelio De Laurentiis’ statement that Napoli will avoid signing any more African players unless they agree not to play in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Kalidou Koulibaly, who is Chelsea’s new signing was with Napoli. At his former club, games while on international duty at this year’s tournament, which took place in January and February.
Speaking with Smart Talk on Wall Street Italia, Kalidou revealed that “Nobody ever told me not to go to AFCON” while at Napoli.
He stated that the comments from Aurelio De Laurentiis are not the best since a player’s national team is dear to his or her heart.
“So, if someone told me to do that, it would be the only time that I can fight with somebody. The way we feel all the time with my national team, we are all respectful, we wait for players to come from the Premier League, and everybody is happy to be here,” he said.
“Everybody thinks the same as me in the national team. If someone told them not to come they would always fight to come,” Kalidou added.
According to him, it is imperative that all players are given the same respect irrespective of their origin.
“This is the most important thing. Everybody has to give us respect,” he said.
Koulibaly has signed a four-year contract with Chelsea following the purchase of the club by US businessman Todd Boehly’s consortium.