Barcelona has the resources needed to build their squad to help them get underway to the perfect rebuild. They have the manager, they have owners, and they have Chelsea targets to work with.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Catalans are now said to be interested in a move for the long term Chelsea target Jules Kounde. It comes as a surprise, considering they are also tipped to bring Andreas Christensen from Chelsea over to Spain. Both players play on that right side of the defence, which will give Barcelona healthy competition but ultimately leave Chelsea with scarce options in defence.
Andreas Christensen is not the only Chelsea player that Xavi has attempted to poach from the Blues. Cesar Azpilicueta is also tipped to leave for Barcelona this summer window. They had also made contact with Antonio Rudiger's agent earlier in the year before the German signed for Real Madrid.
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It just feels a little bit fishy that Chelsea's main players and transfer targets have also been on Barcelona's list. It's as though everywhere we look to strengthen in defence or attack. The Catalans are right behind us. Chelsea needs Kounde more than Barcelona would admit.
The departure of both Christensen and Azpilicueta will leave them with just Trevoh Chalobah playing as a right centre-back. It could also result in Reece James playing a more permanent position as right centre-back instead of at wing-back, where most Chelsea fans would prefer to see him.
The defence is one area where Barcelona have looked upon Chelsea's blueprint toward success, and another would be the attack. Earlier on in the year, Riyad Mahrez and Raphinha become Chelsea targets. It was not long before both players were also on Barcelona's transfer request list.
Though Chelsea reportedly had their bid for the Brazilian of around £40 million in January rejected, he has now agreed on personal terms with the Catalan's as reported by GOAL. It remains a grey area for the Blues, who could have probably upped their offer during the season if they were not so restricted by government sanctions. Barcelona have taken full advantage of this situation in many ways.
Raphinha could be the first of a couple of Chelsea targets to snub the Blues for a move to sunny Barcelona. Marcos Alonso is the next Chelsea player that could be making his move there along with his current teammates, Christensen and Azpilicueta.
Chelsea fans have an unsung rivalry with Barcelona. The dream crushers of 2009 from across the sea. Hopefully, they do not continue to lose out to Xavi's side anymore, and Marina Granovskaia locks in the transfer deal with Jules Kounde before it's also too late.
