A player who left Chelsea in recent days has now pointed the finger at the club and its coaches for his disappointing spell.
The Blues have already been quite productive in reducing their bloated squad ahead of the 2023/24 campaign as they continue to be raided by Saudi Arabian and other teams for some of their out-of-favour stars who are keen to move on.
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N'Golo Kante was the first to make the switch from Stamford Bridge to the Middle East earlier this month, and he was followed by former teammate Kalidou Koulibaly, who spent just one season with the west Londoners after joining from Napoli.
The defender failed to make the impression he would have hoped for at the club last season as poor form and some notable defensive errors left many unconvinced by his transfer, including some of the four managers who took charge of the team last term.
He has since made the switch to Al Hilal for a fee of €23 million (R467 million), and will be one of the club's highest-paid stars following Portugal international Ruben Neves' arrival from Wolverhampton Wanderer.
The 32-year-old has now spoken out on his abrupt exit from Chelsea, seemingly putting blame on the team and those in charge for his failed stint.
"I had no guarantees to get regular playing time [at Chelsea]," Koulibaly explained, according to The Sun.
"I was always professional but I don't like to sit on the bench doing nothing.
"I prefer a place where I am wanted and at the centre of the project and can be an example for young players. The Premier League is fantastic and there are great players.
"They [Chelsea] expected the Koulibaly of Napoli, but I think my season was not so bad. I needed time and in one year I couldn't prove what I wanted because of the coach's and club's choices.
"I am happy with what I learned about my limits, my family and my kids. My time had come and I had to make a decision.
"My teammates sent me so many messages, they are all sorry, but I have to prepare for the AFCON.
"It's the most important thing for me, Senegal want to win again, but it won't be easy."
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