Jules Kounde: The unsung hero of FC Barcelona's early season success
- FC Barcelona has soared to the top of the La Liga table, powered by a combination of individual excellence and a palpable chemistry throughout the starting eleven.
- While the Blaugrana are currently in peak goalscoring form, their defensive fortitude has flown under the radar, with one player particularly shining in his role.
By Rohan Borges
Jules Kounde is lifting FC Barcelona to new defensive heights
FC Barcelona’s early success can be attributed to a combination of things. For one, Hansi Flick’s vision has worked to a tee, and the front three of Yamal-Raphinha-Lewandowski are humming at an alarming rate. Meanwhile, new addition Dani Olmo has assimilated himself seamlessly with his new environment, scoring in all three starts for his new club.
The Blaugrana have netted a whopping 17 goals in five games, highlighting their revamped attacking firepower under Flick. But only four goals allowed through five matches is an equal testament to Barca’s discipline and determination at the back.
Entering a new La Liga season under brand new manager Hansi Flick, Cules expressed their skepticism regarding the team's defensive structure. Through five matches, all doubts have been suppressed, while one defender is enjoying the best moment of his young Barcelona career.
While Barcelona's attacking prowess, headlined by Lamine Yamal’s teenage brilliance and Raphinha’s delightful resurgence, has stolen the headlines, it's been Frenchman Jules Kounde who has quietly fortified Barcelona's defense. Hesitant to accept the role of starting right-back under former manager Xavi Hernandez, Kounde has fully embraced the switch from center-half this season, owning the fullback position ever since.
Not only has Kounde outperformed just about any right back in the world from a defensive standpoint, but the 25-year-old has unlocked a new dimension to his game under Hansi Flick's fluid system. His ability to ignite build-up play from the flank has been a revelation and a key contribution to Barca's attacking threat.
Kounde has established himself as an indispensable feature of Barcelona's first team, earning the complete trust of the coaching staff with his fine form to open the season. It's no surprise that he's one of three outfield players, including Inigo Martinez and Raphinha, to play the full 90 minutes of each match so far this season, highlighting his importance to the squad.
It's unrealistic to expect Barcelona to maintain the blistering attacking efficiency that they've enjoyed to begin the La Liga campaign, but their defensive foundation will be what carries them through the toughest junctures of the grueling season. Kounde's presence at the back has been immense, and his newfound attacking chops add a new layer of diversity to Barcelona's defensive scheme.