WATCH: Salomon Kalou reveals African players’ impact on Chelsea’s FANDOM across Africa and beyond

Salomon Kalou revealed the African impact on Chelsea (Via X)

Chelsea are one of the most popular clubs in the Premier League. The five-time Premier League champions have a massive following in the African continent as well. A recent interview given by Salomon Kalou shows just how much footballers from Africa have influenced and reformed the sport in England’s premier club competition, and vice versa.

Popular media outlet Sky Sports is working on a ‘special’ documentary which outlines how Africa changed football in the Premier League. A sneak peek into his interview shows how he managed to earn a name for himself, by playing for a club like Chelsea at the tender age of 20. He credited the effort made by players like Didier Drogba and John Terry to help make an environment so that he could ‘fit in’.

Kalou then spoke of how Chelsea have evolved into the most adored and followed team in all of Africa. He said that the atmosphere inside the dressing room translates to the environment outside it as well.

"Today if you go anywhere in West Africa or somewhere in Africa, Chelsea is their favourite team"

Salomon Kalou on the impact African players have had on Chelsea's fanbase ? pic.twitter.com/5uhuB5wUNe
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 6, 2024

The Ivorian said, talking to Sky Sports:

Today if you go anywhere in West Africa or Africa, Chelsea is their favorite team because of the players from Africa that have represented Chelsea.

Salomon Kalou said

Salomon Kalou currently plays for Djibouti-based club AS Arta.

Chelsea set to make significant changes during January transfer window

With the January transfer window wide open, clubs have got to work in the transfer market. Numerous arrivals and departures have been reported within days. From signing a new centre-back to bolstering their attack up front, Chelsea are set to make ‘big’ moves in the transfer window. That being said, Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has not made his transfer market plans ‘public’, thereby leaving the club’s motives open to speculation.

Thiago Silva and Connor Gallagher are a few of the transfer situations that Chelsea have to sort out in this window (Via X/@ESPNFC & FrankKhalid)

However, statistically speaking, the club have the second-worst attack in the league. 20 games in, Chelsea are second in terms of underperforming xG. One must also note that Chelsea are only participating in the Premier League even after spending next to £1 billion since Todd Boehly’s arrival. A clinical forward is crucial to ensure that Chelsea manage to secure a top 6 finish this season.

? Chelsea are prepared to let Thiago Silva leave the club when his contract runs out at the end of the season, with Fluminense ready to offer the 39-year-old a return to his homeland.

(Source: Football Insider) pic.twitter.com/kXYltDhiAS
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) January 4, 2024

39-year-old Thiago Silva has been tasked with keeping the Chelsea defense in check. In spite of a gargantuan spending in previous transfer markets, the fact that Chelsea relies on a 39-year-old almost every single game calls for change. Even though the Brazilian is currently in good form, a long-term replacement for the centre-back has to be found, either now or at the end of the season. Given Chelsea manage to keep Christopher Nkunku for for the remainder of the season, the club may be able to avert a mid-table finish. Connor Gallagher‘s departure to Tottenham Hotspur also needs to be managed in this window.