Chelsea are reportedly plotting a move for Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, as Thomas Tuchel looks to revamp his defensive options next summer.
Defensive duo Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen are out of contracts at the end of the season, meaning they could negotiate pre-contract agreements with non-British clubs starting from January 1 onwards. The Blues have not lost hope and are still negotiating with the pair over new contracts, though.
According to Eurosport, Sevilla star Jules Kounde is at the top of Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel’s wishlist, followed by Juventus’ Matthijs de Ligt and Villarreal academy graduate Pau Torres. The European champions are preparing emergency plans for both the January and the summer transfer windows in the wake of Rudiger and Christensen’s contract standoff, the report adds.
The Blues pursued Kounde, 22, throughout the summer but failed to agree on a fee with Sevilla for the defender. The Frenchman, rated as one of Europe’s top young centre-backs, has put behind his failed move to Chelsea and delivered some strong performances for Julen Lopetegui’s side this season.
Earlier this month, the 22-year-old stopper was a part of the France national team that defeated Spain 2-1 in the Nations League final. Thus, it won’t come as a surprise if Chelsea returns with a fresh offer for Kounde.
Jules Kounde to Chelsea—An ideal replacement for Antonio Rudiger?
Antonio Rudiger could be termed as the current best centre-back in the Premier League and that won’t be a stretch. He is at the peak of his powers, playing arguably the best football of his career and helping Thomas Tuchel’s men keep clean sheets after clean sheets.
The Germany international is a vital cog in the Blues’ defence and his potential departure on a free transfer next year would leave a big void for Tuchel to fill. In addition, Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva are not getting any younger and are also out of contract next summer, leaving Chelsea on the brink of a potential crisis at the back.
To that end, the west London outfit’s plans to boost their defensive options with the signing of Jules Kounde next year makes complete sense. Kounde is a talented, young centre-back with excellent ball-playing skills, pace to burn, ability to snuff out danger before growing and ball-winning techniques. He’s not the tallest of defenders in Europe but that doesn’t stop him from going toe-to-toe with physically dominant forwards during aerial duels.
The ex-Bordeaux man can also operate at right-back, and such versatility is likely to appeal to the Chelsea boss. The Frenchman is a smart reader of the game and doesn’t get easily beaten in 1v1 situations. Kounde does have lapses in concentration and tends to give away cheap fouls in dangerous areas, but he is only 22 and has the time on his side to iron out those flaws from his game.
If Rudiger departs Stamford Bridge, Kounde would be the German’s excellent long-term replacement at Chelsea, thus, Tuchel and co. must go all out to get the Sevilla star’s signature in January itself.
