With Chelsea’s right-back options proving notoriously unreliable, the club are preparing to launch back into the transfer window with Barcelona’s Jules Kounde the chief target.
Chelsea Register Interest in Jules Kounde
Chelsea are certainly not short on right-backs at this moment in time, with the rapidly improving Malo Gusto and club captain Reece James providing plenty of depth.
The latter has been no stranger to the medical table in recent seasons however, missing 119 matches since the start of the 2021/22 season.
Malo Gusto was also ruled out for several weeks back in September, which may have prompted the Blues to assess their options at right-back.
Whether their interest in Jules Kounde stems from his proficiency at right-back, or his traditional role as central defender is unclear, but the very fact he can adapt to both with relative ease makes him a sought-after asset.
The 25-year-old enjoyed perhaps his best performance in a Barcelona shirt in their 5-2 win against Red Star Belgrade last time out, storming down the right-flank in a breathtaking 23 minute flurry that saw him rack up three assists.
53’—🎁
55’—🎁
76’—🎁A second-half hat trick of assists for Jules Koundé ✨ pic.twitter.com/KzNCPWn4dv
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 6, 2024
Afterwards, he said “I’m in the best moment of my career” and praised Barca coach Hansi Flick, so luring him away from one of Europe’s most rousing projects will likely prove difficult.
Reports coming out of Spain suggest that Chelsea’s January transfer window preparations are well underway, with yet more investment planned.
Kounde is believed to be the subject of strong interest, with the Blues sounding out a potential £54m bid.
The 38-cap French international still has three years left on his contract in Catalonia, and given his strong performances under Hansi Flick so far this campaign, any approach will likely be rebuffed or a significant fee demanded.
Kounde’s growing importance has seen him feature in all 12 of Barcelona‘s La Liga fixtures so far, which has seen them race to a nine-point lead at the summit.
