When everything seemed to be going your way Jules Coude would transform into replacement for Andreas Christensen at Chelsea for an approximate value of 55 million eurosThe Barcelona entered the negotiation and accelerates to incorporate the French defender. If the same Barca which in this market took out the Blues Christensen himself won the arm race for Rafinha and is looking (or at least was looking) for Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso. The thing between the Catalans and the Londoners already seems personal.
He will see Ronald Araujo as right back in Clasico against Madrid this Saturdayit was a fresh reminder that Xavi’s men still they don’t have a versatile defender in this side: They have more attacking wingers like Dest or purely defensive players like Araujo himself. But none that fulfill more than both functions. This is why the search for a Koundé who, although much more central than lateral, can also occupy this position, with better conditions to go on the attack than the powerful central Uruguayan.
Koundé, just 23, has three seasons at a very high level in Sevilla, established himself as an undisputed starter in the Andalusian team’s defense. The jump to a club with more resources seemed to fall through, and whether it was Chelsea or Barcelona, it was bound to end up happening these days.
How is Jules Coute playing?
But what exactly makes the french stand out? For starters, the sporting conditions. He is not a tall centre-back (just over 1.80m) but he is very quick and has great jumping ability. Add to this a ball skills worthy of an attacking player, which allows him to play as a winger without hurting his team’s attack. Among all centre-backs in the last edition of La Liga, Kute attempted the most dribbles (31) and completed the second most (22)only behind Pau Torres (25).
❤️ His 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 @SevillaFC_ENG defense 🤍@jkey4 | #LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/AtrbxWLGgw
— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) July 15, 2022
It also ended up as Center back with most key passes made (17), above Madrid’s Alaba (14) and Militão (12). In addition to being quick on advances and brand safe, it is clear that offers unusual offensive qualities to other players in his position. While yes, those weapons appear more in carry and passing than in definition: his height means he’s not much of a threat from set pieces (just 3 headed goals in 188 games), nor a long-range threat (no goals off area).
What position would Kute play in Barcelona?
The Barca They already have several right-footed central defenders in their squad such as Araujo, Christensen, Garcia and Pique. Or even Mingueza, who will surely end up leaving for another destination. And Koundé is far from a natural full-back, so his arrival would not be to fill a gap in an undisputed way, but so that Xavi adds another option with a young, talented and versatile player.
Any team looking for the highest European elite must have resources to propose different formations in attack and defense according to opponents and Koundé’s arrival would be another step towards it. Someone capable of playing as a central defender in matches against opponents without much attacking weight, but can also be used when an extremist like Vinicius appears in front.
