Jules Kounde, Barcelona player
Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images
Following a string of disappointing performances against strong opponents, Barcelona are desperately in need of a breather.
Fortunately, the upcoming November international break could offer Hansi Flick some ample time to reground and rethink their strategies.
However, not all the players will be available at the disposal of Flick, one of whom is Jules Kounde.
As revealed by France Football, Didier Deschamps has selected Jules Kounde in the French team heading the teamโs World Cup qualifying campaign.
Kounde thus becomes the only Barcelona player to get selected for the French national team heading into the November international break.
The French international will have a point to prove as well, having struggled with form throughout the course of the campaign. After enjoying his best-ever season at Barcelona last term, there has been a visible drop in Koundeโs performances.
๐ ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ฌ๐ช๐ฎ๐๐ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฒ๐๐๐ซ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง and Desirรฉ Douรฉ earns his first call-up! โญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
See you on Monday at Clairefontaine to prepare for the Nations League quarter-final double clash against Croatia ๐ญ๐ท#FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/6PM6WW4orz
โ French Team โญโญ (@FrenchTeam) March 13, 2025
The former Sevilla defender will hope the international break gives Kounde an ideal platform to prove himself and perhaps return to club football in a better mood.
The pressure will be on the Frenchman as well, knowing there are a number of talented right-backs available at his disposal for Deschamps.
All that now depends is for Kounde to show up as France take on Azerbaijan and Ukraine as part of their FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
It will be interesting to see how Deschamps plans to utilise the Barcelona star as well and whether or not he can help the player regain his top form, which in turn could greatly aid the Catalan club, who have tough assignments later this month.
Meanwhile, the French national team has also selected two players from the Real Madrid contingent in Eduardo Camavinga and Kylian Mbappe. Aurelien Tchouameni missed out due to a fresh injury.
Ansu Fati of AS Monaco and FC Barcelona
Ansu Fati of AS Monaco and FC Barcelona