There is no doubt that FC Barcelona have declined significantly since their triumphant last season. While the club is not exactly excelling in any area of the pitch, the defense has particularly regressed in its performances.
Taking things at a more individual level, the player whose form at Barcelona is raising a lot of concern is the center-back, Jules Kounde. The Frenchman is experiencing the worst time of his Barcelona career, and this difficult period is showcased not only by his performances on the pitch but also because of his demeanor in the locker room.
Away from the pitch, Kounde has also not been a very lively presence in the locker room as well. Although he usually remains limited to himself, sources from the locker room indicate he has been even more subdued than normal in the last few weeks.
The recent report from SPORT has identified several factors that could be responsible for the Frenchman’s problems. Sportingly, he has played 660 minutes in only 20 days, almost seven full matches, and has played all the possible minutes since the start of 2024.
Furthermore, the reason that he is once again playing on the flank despite his express request to play in the center can be another reason for his low spirits. Similarly, Kounde also lost two of his friends in the locker room, Franck Kessie and Ousmane Dembele, last summer, and this could also be a reason for his subdued presence in the locker room.
The report further indicates that Barcelona are extremely concerned about the form that Kounde is going through, and the Catalans are already opening up to the idea of him leaving in the summer.
Furthermore the emergence of Pau Cubarsi put another option in Xavi’s hands for the backline, and the fact that Kounde is losing value with every poor showing means he is no longer an untouchable in the squad.
