The reasons Jules Kounde could leave Barca

A few days before the official season comes to a close, it has emerged that Jules Kounde has given FC Barcelona the nod to listen to offers that may come in for him this summer, as reported by 'Relevo' and confirmed by SPORT. 

The defender does not feel comfortable in his role as a full-back, where he believes he will be asked to continue next season, and is committed to playing at centre-back.

Kounde arrived last summer, from Sevilla, to reinforce the axis of the defence. The context has pushed him to play at full-back in half of the games he has played this season: the departure of Bellerín and injuries to Sergi Roberto and Araujo left Kounde as one of the only alternatives for Xavi at right-back.

In the first instance, Jules agreed to play in this position, but on a circumstantial basis. Despite the fact that he also plays in this position for the French national team, the Frenchman considers that his shortcomings are more exposed there and that his game is much better suited to starting from the centre of defence. That example can be seen when Xavi decides to stop Vinicius in the Clasicos against Real Madrid by placing Ronald Araujo out there and Kounde in the centre.

Xavi assured him that he would form a 'dance partner' with Ronald Araujo, but the truth is that the Uruguayan has been placed alongside Christensen at the back, leaving Kounde as the only alternative at right-back. Furthermore, the Blaugrana coach assured in the press conference prior to the match against Valladolid that the incorporation of a right-back is not a priority.

Kounde already anticipates that if the financial effort next season will go to reinforcing the defensive midfield, he will continue to be Xavi's only option to occupy the team's right-back position. That is his reason for talking to Xavi and telling him that he is open to leaving because he sees no guarantee of playing as a centre-back next year. Jules is aware that his price continues to rise and considers that in other leagues, such as the Premier League, he could make a career in his favourite position.