Newcastle United are keen to trump Chelsea to Jules Kounde. Copyright: PRESSINPHOTO PS 2102022 014
According to Sport Witness (h/t Daily Mail), Chelsea have identified Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde as their top transfer target at the end of this season. The Blues came close to landing the player last summer, but were unsuccessful in their attempts.
Kounde has been one of Sevilla’s best performers over the past two years, which led to widespread interest in the Frenchman from top European clubs including the Blues. However, the defender stayed put last summer and has continued to perform at a high level for the Rojiblancos.
Manager Thomas Tuchel would certainly have benefitted if Kounde moved to Stamford Bridge last summer, given that he has been dealing with multiple injury issues and Covid outbreaks in the squad in the past few months.
The France international also commented on his transfer saga last year, saying that missing out on a move to the defending European champions affected him mentally at the start of the current campaign.
Chelsea, so far this season, have dealt with long-term injuries to Ben Chilwell and Reece James, while also losing senior defenders Thiago Silva and Andreas Christensen to Covid for a few weeks. This explicitly impacted Chelsea’s bid to mount a sustained Premier League title charge.
After the club came close to signing Kounde last summer, Chelsea are now said to be ‘fully convinced’ that they will not fail in their pursuit this time around. The club nearly pulled off a move for the player but stepped out of negotiations after Sevilla demanded £60m for the France international at the last minute.
With Chelsea said to be readying a winning bid for Kounde at the end of the season, Tuchel will hope that he will finally get his man after a long wait for the defender. The 23-year-old is sure to make a fine addition to the Blues’ defensive ranks if he agrees to come to West London.
Kounde’s potential move to Chelsea may also come at the right time for the German head coach, considering that he may be set to lose three of his senior defenders at the end of the season when their current deals run out. As things stand, Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger, and captain Cesar Azpilicueta will become free agents at the end of this season.
Given that Chelsea have been unable to provide confirmation regarding any of the aforementioned defenders staying at Stamford Bridge, Kounde’s arrival may be a necessity for Tuchel to bolster his rearguard as the Blues try to go all out for more trophies next season.
At just 23, Kounde could be a defensive mainstay at Chelsea for years to come, giving us a new hero at the back to look up to. Hopefully, the club is able to pull off a deal with Sevilla for the player and ensure he dons Chelsea blue once the next season commences.
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