Kalidou Koulibaly has been included in the CAF’s Africa Team of the Year for 2023, despite enduring a nightmare season at .
The star moved to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2022 for £33million having established himself as one of the best centre-backs in the world at Napoli.
But he would last just 12 months at Chelsea as he struggled to adjust to the , with neither , Graham Potter or Frank Lampard able to get the best out of him.
The Blues decided to cut their losses on the 32-year-old, selling him to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, so it is surprising to see Koulibaly selected for such a prestigious honour.
At the Confederation of African Football’s awards ceremony on Monday night, it was, as expected, who was voted African Footballer of the Year.
The striker found the back of the net 31 times last season to fire Napoli to the Serie A title, and he is one of the names the Blues are looking to sign in January.
Several current Premier League stars were also named in the best XI, including struggling Manchester United duo Andre Onana and Sofyan Amrabat as the pair did enjoy more successful campaigns in 2022/23.
Onana’s inclusion is still a little strange however given that the Cameroon No.1 did not even win the Goalkeeper of the Year award, which instead went to Yassine Bounou of Al Hilal and Morocco.
Moreover, , despite being key to Inter Milan’s run to the Champions League final.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, Arsenal’s Thomas Partey and West Ham’s Mohamed Kudus also made the team.
Many of these star names will be in action for their national teams next month, as they jet off for the Africa Cup of Nations.
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