Chelsea wanted to bring Barcelona and France defender Jules Kounde to Stamford Bridge back in 2022.
Chelsea lost both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen on free transfers that year and needed replacements.
Kounde was identified as one, but the 26-year-old decided to leave Sevilla for Barcelona instead.
Kounde explained why he snubbed Chelsea, but it looks like the Frenchman could still end up at Stamford Bridge in the near future. Barcelona fans are confident Kounde will be staying at their club, however.
Photo by Luka Stanzl/Pixsell/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Luka Stanzl/Pixsell/MB Media/Getty Images
Thomas Tuchel could not convince Jules Kounde to join Chelsea
Chelsea had a lot going for them during the 2022 summer transfer window. The Blues had Champions League football to offer, ambitious new owners and a world-class manager in Thomas Tuchel.
Yet after holding conversations with both the German and Xavi, who was Barcelona boss at the time, Kounde’s preference was to move to the Spotify Camp Nou.
“First, I come to a huge club, which has known good times and which, lately, has had less,” Kounde told L’Equipe shortly after his switch to Barcelona. “I come to a project that I would not call reconstruction, because we already have a competitive team, but rather, being upturned.
“I was interested in being part of this new wave, in search of titles, and to put Barca back where it has always been, among the best clubs.
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“Then there was the conversation with the coach. We talked about football, mainly. I felt a real confidence from him, that he had a real knowledge of myself, my game and my qualities. I spoke with Tuchel and I also felt that he wanted me to come but I simply preferred Xavi’s speech.”
While Chelsea failed to sign Kounde three years ago, they were able to land his compatriot Wesley Fofana.
He has had a difficult time in west London because of injuries, though. Fofana has also played out of position of late, starting at right-back in Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal just before the international break. It was not an easy afternoon for the former Leicester City man, who could have been sent off at the Emirates.
Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images
Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images
Chelsea could finally convince Jules Kounde to join them
Chelsea’s interest in Kounde has not gone away. And while Barcelona fans are confident that the France international will not be going anywhere this summer, reports suggest that the Blues could lure him away from the Catalan club.
It has been claimed that Chelsea have made Kounde a priority and that the ex-Sevilla star is well aware that he would get the opportunity to play at centre-back and earn a higher salary at Stamford Bridge.
While Kounde is a central defender by trade, he is being used as a right-back at Barcelona right now.
That versatility alone is why Kounde could be a great signing for Chelsea if they can finally convince him to ditch Spain for England.