Jules Kounde is emerging as one of the most trusted players for FC Barcelona and their head coach Xavi Hernandez. The player has the highest number of minutes played this season and has featured in every game up to now.
Kounde is now justifying the €55 million that Barcelona paid for him to Sevilla a year ago. He was key for the Catalan club as well, as they won the league title last season on the basis of defensive stability.
Kounde reverting to the centre-back
Kounde was an essential part of the Barcelona backline last season as he shifted between the right-back and the center-back positions. However, as already reported here, Kounde was not too happy playing on the flank and clearly asked Xavi to play him in the center of the defense at the end of last season.
The Frenchman was so desperate to return to the center that he let Xavi know that his continuity at the club could be guaranteed only if he gets back to his natural position.
Xavi and Kounde were able to settle matters amicably. Kounde has been playing mainly as a center-back this season, and the need to play on the flank is also no longer there since the incorporation of Joao Cancelo over the last summer.
Defensive record for Kounde
This reversion to his preferred position has proved to be beneficial for Barcelona, as he has helped Ter Stegen keep multiple clean sheets this season. As Diario AS has reported, there is a particular record that Kounde has created which goes on to showcase his defensive proficiency.
The Frenchman has not dribbled past even once by any of the opposition players who have faced him over the ten games played this season.
His importance in the team was particularly on the showcase even in the last match against Porto, as he made two particular interventions that could easily have led Porto to threaten the Barcelona goal.
