Everything Barca
Fansided

Jules Koundé on decision to join Barcelona rather than Chelsea

By Sebastian Cocco

BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 24: Jules Kounde of FC Barcelona with the ball during the friendly match between FC Barcelona and Manchester City at Spotify Camp Nou on August 24, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 24: Jules Kounde of FC Barcelona with the ball during the friendly match between FC Barcelona and Manchester City at Spotify Camp Nou on August 24, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

After the extremely long transfer saga we all witnessed in the summer, both players and fans finally get some time to reflect on what happened. This includes Jules Koundé and why he chose FC Barcelona over Chelsea FC.

In a recent interview with the French newspaper, L’Equipe (h/t SPORT), Koundé discussed the differences between the two clubs and what swayed his decision-making between them.

Both coaches, Xavi and Tuchel, personally talked with Koundé about the plans for the future and how he would fit into their tactics. Although Chelsea had been trying to get the Frenchman’s signature for the past two transfer windows, it was Xavi’s speech and performances that won him over.

“When I talked to him, he told me that my qualities correspond to his game plan, starting from the back, playing high, using my qualities of speed and anticipation. He also wants an aggressive team: we are one of the teams that press high, that runs more. He saw me in this system and I too, I saw myself in this team that I saw make a pretty crazy rise up the table.

Along with all Barcelona fans around the world, the performances the team mustered together during the second half of the season, including the 4-0 win in El Clásico, were astonishingly good. Not only was the team getting results, but the style of play was what made it so special.

“With Sevilla, we were fifteen points ahead of them in the middle of the season, and Barça, with Xavi, had a superb second half. I saw him play a lot, I saw the changes he made and what direction he was going in. I liked it.” 

And so do we Jules. This Barça is the strongest team we have seen in years and players like Koundé are why it’s possible. The Barcelona board has been doing wonders in and out of the office to convince the world of this special project and there is not a doubt in my head that Barcelona will soon be back on top.

Now we just have to wait until October 1st for Xaviball to be back underway when Barcelona leaves home to face off against Mallorca.

Home/FC Barcelona News