FC Barcelona: Koundé shook off frustration over failed Chelsea transfer

Barça transfer “highly desired”

At the end of July, FC Barcelona completed the transfer of Sevilla defender Jules Koundé for 50 million euros excluding further bonuses – but the 23-year-old was only able to register for the game a month later for financial reasons. Despite the administrative problems at the start, Koundé is extremely happy with his situation given his rapid development with 11 appearances for France’s senior team since his debut in June 2021 and his transfer within LaLiga.

“The France national team and signing at a club the size of Barça are things that I wanted so badly that I worked towards them. That was the path I wanted to go,” said the defender in an interview “L’Equipe” and justified his choice for Barcelona and against Chelsea and Manchester City, who were also courting him:

“I’m coming to a huge club that has had good times and has won less recently. I’m coming to a project that I wouldn’t call a rebuild because we already have a competitive team (…). I was interested in being part of this new wave that strives for titles and to bring Barça back to where it always was, among the best,” said Koundé. A very trusting conversation with coach Xavi did the rest.

The Parisian has increased his market value from €15m to €60m over the past three years – and ahead of the next LaLiga update. He has appeared in five games for his new club so far, including the 2-0 loss to FC Bayern in the Champions League. Koundé was far away with Chelsea in the summer of 2021, but Sevilla FC rejected an “extraordinary” offer, according to sporting director Monchi, “the biggest in our history”.

FC Barcelona’s Koundé spoke again with Chelsea and was an issue at Man City

Koundé now said about the failed transfer to the Blues a year ago: “The time of frustration was not very long. It’s not good to be in this mood and I immediately had a desire in my head to get back to work. After that I had a bit of a slump, but that had nothing to do with not changing. Overall, I had a good season, which brought me offers in the summer.” It is true that he was not far from signing for Chelsea this time either. “Barça were interested but had problems. But when I got the call and felt that Barça had the opportunity to get me, I didn’t hesitate for long.”

Koundé admitted that he had spoken to coach Thomas Tuchel, who has since been dismissed: “I also felt that he wanted to get me, but I just liked Xavi’s speech better.” Being able to play positions lured to the Catalans. Man City were also in the running, but like Chelsea, they lost out: “Yes, but first some players had to leave the club,” revealed Koundé.

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