Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
A graphic showing Jordan Henderson's match statistics (goals, assists, key passes and pass completion rate) against for Chelsea FC against Bournemouth. Image shows Jordan Henderson celebrating.
Credit: Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Alexander Canillas/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Alexander Canillas/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images
Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images
Chelsea supporters should not be expecting too many braces from Kounde if he finally ends up moving to Stamford Bridge, but the defender could still prove to be another bargain for the Blues. Chelsea are interested in Kounde once again and may be able to get him for a very good fee.
According to Sport, Barcelona are expected to demand at least €50m (£42m) for Kounde, which is not that much in this day and age and considering the player in question. Even if Barcelona are willing to get rid of him, he is still a very valuable footballer.
First of all, Kounde is a versatile defender. The Frenchman can play as a right-back or centre-back. He is very right-sided, meaning he could slot in perfectly on the right of Xabi Alonso’s back three.
Kounde has the pace to cope in that right channel and the know-how to deal with the Premier League’s top attackers. At 27 and having played for Barcelona and France, he has plenty of experience at the very elite level of football.
If signing Kounde would block Josh Acheampong’s pathway, Chelsea should think twice before making a move for the France international. Acheampong is playing well right now and seems content with life under Alonso.
However, Kounde could be an upgrade on Wesley Fofana, who has not lived up to the hype at Chelsea. Replacing him with his compatriot seems like a no-brainer.