Barcelona’s right-back situation: Jules Kounde and fresh start for USMNT’s Sergino Dest
“Everyone knows my preferences, I’m playing full-back for the team,” Jules Kounde said last February.
The Barcelona man has never hidden his outlook: he wants to play centre-back. Kounde arrived at Barcelona last summer as one of the best centre-backs on the continent and one of the most exciting signings — as far as the fans were concerned.
Advertisement
His versatility on the right flank and the good season of Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen in the centre of the back line moved the Frenchman to the right flank.
Now Barcelona are not planning to prioritise a new right-back this window due to Kounde’s good performances, their financial situation and a fresh chance for another defender.
The fans had welcomed Kounde’s arrival last summer as the team had struggled a lot in defence in previous seasons. The idea of having a guaranteed player in the backline was something they liked. Especially as Kounde is only 24 and has the capacity to be around for years.
The defence was the most reinforced part of the team last summer. Apart from Kounde, the club signed Christensen — who arrived for free from Chelsea and has performed exceptionally well for Xavi’s side — Hector Bellerin and Marcos Alonso.
Of all of them, the only one who is not still in the squad is the only pure right-back, Bellerin. He joined Sporting Lisbon in January after just six months at the Camp Nou.
With more options than in other years, Xavi decided to rotate a lot in the first part of the season to see which players would fit best in which positions.
Araujo had already earned his stripes in the centre of defence. Xavi was also not going to rely on Gerard Pique — the first-choice centre-back in recent years and captain — and Clement Lenglet left
Read on theathletic.com
