Long-term Chelsea target Jules Kounde was on the scoresheet for Sevilla in their 3-2 win at Levante on Thursday evening. The French centre-back struck with a powerful header to help Julen Lopetegui's side stay on the coattails of Barcelona; who recently overtook them as Real Madrid’s closest challengers.
Kounde was heavily linked with a move to the Blues last summer and more recently in the January transfer window, but a deal to bring the Sevilla star to Stamford Bridge ultimately failed to materialise. With Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen set to leave the club when their contracts expire in June, there’s a good chance that Chelsea will reignite their interest in the Frenchman.
The 23-year-old is a right-sided centre-back but can also play at right-back, making him perfect for Thomas Tuchel’s preferred back three system. At 5ft 11ins, Kounde isn’t particularly tall for a defender but his powerful leap makes him formidable in the air; a trait that exhibits his value in both penalty areas.
