Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly backs teammate Faouzi Ghoulam as a future captain.

Koulibaly spoke to Algerian television station El Heddaf TV.

“I am very close to Faouzi and we share a room at training camp, so I feel a little lonely now that he's injured," confessed Koulibaly.

“Maurizio Sarri is right to say his absence has a big impact on the team. Everyone knows the contribution he brings on the left. He is also a very positive presence in the locker room and I hope he'll be back soon, because we really miss him.

“I am very happy he signed a new contract, as I was afraid he'd leave. I encouraged him to sign the extension and remain with us at Napoli, as he's very important if we are to achieve our objectives.

“I see Ghoulam as a real leader at Napoli who could one day be our captain. I realise there's Lorenzo Insigne after Marek Hamsik, but Ghoulam could take the armband in future.

“At this moment, Ghoulam is the best left-back in the world. I don't say that because he's my teammate, but because it's the truth."