Chelsea have been looking at centre-backs for this summer's transfer window amid the news that both Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger are on their way out of Stamford Bridge.
One target for this position is Sevilla's Jules Kounde, who in recent days has been linked alongside Leicester's Wesley Fofana. The 23-year-old Sevilla defender has impressed in recent years, winning the Europa League in 2020 with the Spanish club as well as earning nine caps for the French national team.
Chelsea will certainly need to sign somebody of Kounde's profile this summer given the clear need for reinforcements in that position. They could face stiff competition for Kounde from Manchester United, who are also in need of a long-term partner for Raphael Varane after struggling with both Victor Lindelof and under-fire skipper Harry Maguire.
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Despite the Sevilla man's obvious profile for the role, former Liverpool midfielder and pundit Steve McManaman has claimed that the Frenchman must improve before any Premier League move. Kounde was part of a team that was knocked out by West Ham in the last 16 of the Europa League earlier this year.
McManaman explained his position, stating that the reason nobody has opted for the defender so far is the fact that he is not yet a 'top class' talent. He explained in an interview with HorceRacing.net: “I’ve seen him a lot. He and (fellow Sevilla defender) Diego Carlos are linked with a lot of clubs every single year."
"I think the pair of them could easily go in the end. A couple of years ago they were worth £40m, £50m, £60m and then they struggled to a certain extent."
Sevilla currently sit third in La Liga having been passed by a resurgent Barcelona in recent months, and this would have been seen as a good season had they not suffered a Europa League exit at the hands of West Ham. However, with Champions League qualification likely this season it could be a stumbling block for Man United in any move, as they now appear set to miss out following defeat to Arsenal.
McManaman added: "Sevilla are doing okay at the moment. They’re playing well at the minute, but like every single year they just flatter to deceive a little bit.
“Koundw is a French international and he’s young. He will attract attention. The way defenders in Spain play always means they do.
"But even though he’s only 23 years old, he has been around and has been highly thought of for the past couple of years. However, nobody’s plumped for him yet, and there’s a reason."
He then talked about why a move may not have materialised yet: "It’s either because he’s too expensive or he’s just not top level yet. I still think he has to improve if he’s going to be in the top echelons of the Premier League, where you will find the very best teams."
