Jules Koundé was the signing crashes of the FC Barcelona for his defence this past summer. The French arrived by 'alone' 50 million euros, a figure very underneath of his level and of what paid Chelsea, to the that the Frenchman refused, losing money, by his dream to play in the Camp Nou. A 'win win' in all rule of the picture barcelonista, that did with one of the best head offices of the world to accompany in the centre of the saga to the that probably was the best of the planet, Ronald Araújo.
There was a lot of expectations in what they could do together the ex sevillista and the Uruguayan, two defenders dominadores each one to his style and to 'priori' very complementary. However, the Barça did not hit in his election for the right side in the market veraniego and this has finished it paying Koundé, and obviously the own team, that practically has not been able to joint to his two better defenders in what it goes of course.
Héctor Bellerín did not give the level and went in January, by what along the campaign Xavi Hernández has 'thrown' a lot of Jules for the right-handed lane. The Parisian is used to to play with France here and in the Seville also had managed of sporadic form in this zone, by what was not it neither much less extraneous. In the first stretch of course, in all the 2022, played here only four meetings, but since it began the 2023 practically always has gone out of side. Specifically, it has been nine times in the right and in alone six occasions has been central.
Koundé Is not comfortable of side
The French is sacrificing by his mates on request of Xavi, that is to his time taking advantage of the big season of Andreas Christensen. The Danish has turned into titularísimo at the side of Araújo and is giving an extraordinary performance. However, in spite of his big level, does not arrive until which could arrive Koundé if it began to play of usual form in his place.
The own Jules already has wanted to leave very clear in an interview to does some weeks that plays of carrilero 'forced' by the circumstances, but that does not finish to feel comfortable in the position. "All the world knows my preferences. I am adapting Me To this position. Now it touches me play of side, but do it by the team. There is split in which I enjoy more and others in which I do it less", confirmed to 'TV3'.
Koundé, correct of side, 'top' of head office
These feelings 'found' that is having he are the same that is leaving in the parties. His level in band, although correct, is not being for 'throw rockets' and in some meeting has had clear errors. Recently, in front of Valencia, failed in a left backwards of head that 'forced' to Ronald Araújo to do lacking being the last man so that Hugo Last did not remain only in front of Ter Stegen. The charrúa was expelled thus, but luckily the Barcelona finish winning.
In the big majority of duels in which it has been carrilero has not failed, but neither has shined as it is used to it do of head office. In the Bernabéu, in the 'semis' of Glass of Rey, went out of defender and completed a performance of 'top' world-wide. In his alone place has 'skated' in front of the Manchester United in the gone of the Europe League. Except this exception, in the rest of crashes in which it has gone out in the centre has been the best or of the best.
The solution of the Barça for the side is not Koundé
Like side, the Frenchman suffers in some way when it has to go upwards. Has good exit of ball and technically is a good footballer, but does not know to attack the spaces with the 'timing' with which has to do it a player here, and neither hurts with the spherical the few times that arrives to dangerous zones. In defence, although it is solider that Sergi Roberto, the another option that remains him to Xavi here, has suffered in some moments for seeing out of position. In summary, is a big 'patch', but no a solution that go to work to half and long term.
Thus, the FC Barcelona has to put the 'batteries' and find a right-handed side title that it allow to give back to Jules to the zone where is one of the best of the planet. The 'Fair Play' and the limit salarial play against of the club in what to signings refers , but if they achieve some margin is prioritario that use to incorporate to a carrilero that was something more than a 'tirita' to cure a wound.
In 'FCBN' explain what carrileros would fit better in the Barcelona group, that has several options of level on his table. Diogo Dalot, Juan Foyth or Jeremie Frimpong are some of the alternatives that has the Barça in the market. It does not be necessary to forget also to Julián Araujo, international Mexican fichado this winter to play in the filial. If LaLiga does not allow that the barcelonistas fichen, can that the ex of the Galaxy have a real opportunity to show that it can be the solution on a long-term basis that need Koundé, Xavi and the own team.