Jules Koundé’s makeshift position has become a staple in Spain. The 24-year-old Frenchman would be more than tired of his role as a right back at Barcelona. In that place, Koundé has been quite out of place with the Catalans in recent weeks.
Xavi about dissatisfied Barça defender: “I know this is not his position”
Koundé had the clubs to choose last summer after his strong season at Sevilla. In the end, it was mainly a duel between Chelsea and Barcelona. Thomas Tuchel was keen to bring the defender to West London and said he saw him as the successor to right back Cesar Azpilicueta. According to AS, that was one of the reasons for Koundé to reject Chelsea.
The Frenchman then left for Barcelona. With that transfer, according to the Spanish daily, he himself set the condition that he would no longer be used as a right back. Koundé only wanted to play in the center. Xavi saw him as a good partner for Ronald Araujo and also used him as center defender in the first friendly matches.
However, due to the departure of Sergiño Dest on a rental basis to AC Milan and the continuing injury crisis to Sergi Roberto, Koundé came to play more and more on the right side. He would have already sounded the alarm with Xavi in August: Koundé would occasionally like to sacrifice himself for the team, but does not want him to play structurally on the side.
Koundé, the weak link in the build-up
That is now the case, both at Barcelona and at the French national team. Although Koundé often becomes the third center back in the build-up when in possession, he is not feeling his best on the side. He’s been pretty out of place in that place in recent weeks. Diego Simeone had clearly labeled Koundé as a weak link in the build-up, because in the top match against Atlético, the defender touched the ball exceptionally often and was often unable to find the solution.
In addition, he had a tough time defensively against Yannick Carrasco. Koundé lacked the explosiveness and sheer speed to keep up with the Belgian. In the defeat against Rayo Vallecano, it was no different midweek with Álvaro García.
Xavi was asked in a press conference about the role of Koundé. Who is visibly disappointed with his situation: “I know this is not his position. I know Jules is a centre-back,” the Barça coach responded. “But due to circumstances he has to adapt to the right-back position. He is humble and committed to the team. He is a guaranteed starting player in our defense wherever he plays,” Xavi assured.
