In this week’s Duelbits blog, Salomon Kalou dives into some huge moments in the football calendar, Chelsea’s turbulent December, the pressure on Enzo Maresca, the January transfer window, and the rising noise around Antoine Semenyo. He also turns his attention to AFCON, breaking down Nigeria’s strong start, Ivory Coast’s opening win, standout performers across the tournament and for soccer betting, and how far contenders like Senegal and Burkina Faso can go. As always, Kalou brings a fascinating perspective to the biggest stories of the week.
Chelsea have had a tough run of results in December, what do you put that down to?
December is always a difficult period, but for Chelsea it exposed the same issues that have followed them all season, good football in moments, but not enough control over 90 minutes. They have a young squad, and young teams can struggle with game management when the fixtures come every three days. Injuries and suspensions also disrupted the rhythm, especially in midfield, and that’s an area where Chelsea rely heavily on physicality and ball progression. The performances haven’t been terrible, but the details in both boxes have cost them.
Do Chelsea have enough to beat Arsenal and Man City to the title?
No, not at the moment. Arsenal and City are ahead in terms of structure, experience, and mentality. Chelsea have exciting young players, but they’re still learning how to manage games and handle pressure. The potential is there for the future, but this season they’re not ready to go toetotoe with those two over 38 games.
The result against Aston Villa was a particularly tough one given they led, what were your key take-outs?
It was a really disappointing defeat, especially after taking the lead. Chelsea started the game well and showed they could control the tempo, but once again they didn’t turn that into a complete performance. Villa grew into the match because Chelsea didn’t kill it off, and the equaliser, and then the momentum shift, came from the kind of lapses in concentration we’ve seen too often this season. The positive is that Chelsea are creating chances, but the big challenge is managing games when they’re ahead. That’s where experience and maturity make a huge difference.
Do you expect them to dip into the transfer window in January?
Chelsea will always explore opportunities, but I don’t think they need a big overhaul. What they might look for is experience, a defensive midfielder or a centre-back who brings leadership and stability. The squad is deep, but sometimes you need the right personality to help young players through difficult moments. That could be the focus rather than major changes.
Antoine Semenyo was a player linked, but he now looks set to join Man City. Would he have been a solution to Chelsea’s issues?
Semenyo is a very exciting player, powerful, direct and always looking to attack space. He would have added something different to Chelsea’s forward line. But I don’t think he alone would solve their problems. Chelsea’s issues are more about structure and consistency than individual talent. He would have helped, but he wouldn’t have been a magic fix.
How do you think Semenyo will fare at City?
If Pep Guardiola wants you, it means he sees a clear role for you. Semenyo has the physical profile and mentality to thrive in that environment. City will refine his decision-making and movement, and if he adapts quickly, he can become a very dangerous player. It’s a big step, but he has the tools to succeed.
Are Chelsea too reliant on potential rather than proven players?
Chelsea have incredible young talent, but you can’t build a winning team on potential alone. At some point you need players who have lived those big moments, who know how to manage pressure and close out games. Right now, Chelsea are asking a lot from players who are still learning. The balance isn’t quite there yet. Young players need experienced leaders around them, that’s how you grow a winning mentality.
Are you concerned for Enzo Maresca’s future at the club?
I wouldn’t say concerned, but Chelsea is a results-driven club. Maresca has a clear philosophy and you can see what he’s trying to build, but the Premier League doesn’t give you much time. What he needs is stability — if the club believes in the project, they must support him through the difficult periods. Changing managers every year won’t help a young squad grow.
You mentioned Frank Lampard as a name you could see taking over. What made him special as a player?
Frank was the ultimate professional. His mentality was unbelievable, he trained like every session was a final. He wasn’t the fastest or the most naturally gifted, but he worked harder than everyone. His intelligence, timing of runs, and ability to arrive in the box at the perfect moment made him world-class. And he was a leader, even without shouting. That’s what made him special.
Are there any other coaches who could pick this squad up and take it to glory?
There are always good coaches available, but the key is finding someone who fits the squad’s profile, young, energetic, technical players who need clear structure and confidence. A coach with strong communication and a defined style would suit them. But again, Chelsea need stability more than another reset. The right coach is the one the club commits to.
How would you rate Nigeria’s performance against Tanzania in their opening game?
Nigeria were solid. It wasn’t spectacular, but opening games at AFCON are rarely easy. They controlled the match, created chances, and managed the key moments well. What impressed me was their discipline, they didn’t panic when Tanzania equalised, and they grew stronger as the game went on. It was a professional start.
They backed that win up with victory against Tunisia, and Osimhen his first of the tournament. Do you still back Nigeria and Ivory Coast as your favourites?
Yes, absolutely. Nigeria have the firepower and the balance to beat anyone, and when Osimhen is smiling and scoring, they are a different team. Ivory Coast also have the depth and experience to go far. AFCON is unpredictable, but those two teams have the quality and mentality to reach the final stages, particularly based on what I’ve seen so far?
Ivory Coast beat Mozambique 1–0. What did you make of their first outing?
It was a controlled performance. We didn’t take all our chances, but we were solid defensively and patient in possession. Opening games are about getting the win and settling into the tournament, and we did that. There’s more to come from Ivory Coast, the talent is there.
Diallo got the goal. How do you expect him to perform for the rest of the tournament?
Diallo is a very intelligent player. He finds pockets of space, links play, and has the composure to finish chances. I think he will grow into the tournament. With the quality around him, he will get opportunities, and if he stays confident, he can be one of Ivory Coast’s key players.
Is this the best Ivory Coast squad since your generation?
It’s a very strong squad, no question. They have depth, experience, and players who are performing well in Europe. Are they the best since our generation? I think if they can retain AFCON and then show they can compete at a high level at the World Cup, they would have to be compared very favourably to our team, even if the individual names aren’t as globally recognised. What made our generation special was consistency over many years. If this group can match that with results on the biggest stages, they can write their own legacy for Ivory Coast.
Mohamed Salah has started well for Egypt. How do you think they’ll do?
Egypt are always competitive at AFCON. They know how to manage tournament football, and with Salah in form, they always have a chance. They may not be the most explosive team, but they are organised and experienced. They will be difficult for anyone to beat.
Do you think Salah is making a point to his club with his performances, given his troubles at Anfield this season?
I don’t think Salah plays with that mindset. He’s a winner, he always wants to perform at the highest level. AFCON means a lot to him, and he carries the responsibility of being Egypt’s leader. When he plays well, it’s because he demands that from himself, not because he’s trying to send a message.
Nicolas Jackson scored two for Senegal in their opening game. What went wrong for him at Chelsea?
Jackson has all the tools; pace, power, movement, but at Chelsea he lacked consistency in his finishing and decision-making. That comes with experience. At Senegal, he plays with more freedom and confidence, and you can see the difference. Sometimes young strikers need time and the right environment to grow.
With Mané, Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr in support, do Senegal have the most potent attack at AFCON?
They are definitely one of the strongest. The balance is excellent — pace, creativity, experience, and players who can score from anywhere. When they click, they can overwhelm teams. On paper, it’s one of the most dangerous front lines in the tournament.
Burkina Faso won their opening game in one of the most exciting matches so far. If they beat Sudan, they’ll likely go through. How far can they go?
Burkina Faso are always a team you have to respect. They play with heart, intensity, and belief. If they get out of the group, they can cause problems for anyone because they never give up and they have players who can change a game. I don’t see them as favourites, but they are definitely capable of reaching the quarter-finals or even the semi-finals if the draw falls their way.
Is there a player at AFCON you think Chelsea should be looking at?
AFCON is full of players who could help Premier League teams, and Chelsea should always keep an eye on this tournament. One player who has really impressed me is Ademola Lookman, his confidence, decisionmaking and end product have gone to another level. Someone like him would bring creativity and maturity in the final third. There are also midfielders like Frank Kessié, who bring power and experience. AFCON always reveals players who are ready for the next step.
Do you think AFCON is now stronger than the Asian Cup and Copa América?
AFCON is definitely right up there. The level has grown massively, the intensity, the physicality, the tactical quality. You look at the players: Osimhen, Salah, Mané, Mahrez, Jackson, Aubameyang… these are worldclass names. The competition is unpredictable, the atmosphere is unique, and every game feels like a knockout match. I think AFCON is now one of the most exciting tournaments in world football. It deserves the same respect as the Copa América and the Asian Cup, at least.
