Jules Kounde spoke about playing as a right-back, playing with Dembele on the right flank, his friendship with Tchouameni, Griezmann’s new role in French National Team, handling the criticism, and his choice to join Barcelona.
Jules Kounde on joining Barcelona:
“I made this choice because I wanted to achieve bigger things and it’s going pretty well even if at the moment the Champions League is a failure, but there are still a lot of things to play for, especially La Liga, which is still our main objective.”
Jules Kounde on playing with Dembele on the right flank:
“It’s important to know what role we’re going to have and it allows me to focus on that and to be even more relaxed. We played a few games together with Ousmane on that right flank, and I know about his strengths and weaknesses. He was very impressive defensively ( in the previous game ) and I was very happy to have his defensive support.
Jules Kounde on playing as a Right-Back:
“I’ve always tried to do my best as a right-back, I’ve never gone backwards, I’m progressing, especially on the attacking side, but there’s no reluctance.”
Jules Kounde on playing as a Left-Back:
“That’s another position, we’ll see what the coach decides. If I have to play on the left, I will do my best.”
Jules Kounde on his friendship with Tchouameni:
“It’s even more special to be able to share it with someone close to you, a friend. It’s not necessarily something we talked about when we were younger, but obviously, as each of us goes through the stages, changes clubs, it starts to imprint itself in our heads and it makes it very special.”
“We immediately had these similarities in our way of seeing football, our mentality. We have the same desire to succeed, that’s what binds us.”
Jules Kounde on Griezmann’s new role in French NT:
“I was not surprised because I think Griezmann is a player who has a technical quality that allows him to do well in all positions. He is not used to playing in the midfield but I think he did it very well.”
“Griezmann is a player who has the characteristics to make the effort for the team and it’s even more highlighted in that position with some of the returns from the tackles. It needs adjustments but he’s intelligent enough and the coach has discussed a lot with him.”
Jules Kounde on handling the criticism:
“I like to be informed and criticism is part of our job. You have to accept it and it’s better when it’s constructive. Sometimes it can affect our families and friends more than ourselves because we’re more used to it and we take it less to heart.”
