According to a report by TeamTalk, Chelsea are set to bid £50 million for Sevilla centre-half Jules Kounde. Reports also suggest that the clubs are close to racing an agreement for the French centre-half.
Chelsea looks to be well and truly in a defensive crisis at the moment. The majority of the club’s senior defenders look set to leave the club on a free transfer next summer. Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, and Cesar Azpilicueta are all out of contract next summer.
Club captain Cesar Azpilicueta looks set to join Spanish giants Barcelona in the summer. While Andreas Christensen has also shown no intention of signing a new deal and is also a summer target for Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
While Antonio Rudiger is demanding a £400k a week contract from Chelsea. The European champions seem reluctant to meet his wage demands and the German defender looks set to join Real Madrid in the summer.
So it is very obvious to see why Thomas Tuchel and Chelsea are keen to sign Jules Kounde in the next transfer window. The French centre-half was constantly linked with Chelsea in the summer transfer window. But the deal could not materialize.
Is Jules Kounde a good option for Chelsea and Thomas Tuchel?
The 23-year-old is considered as one of the best centre-half prospects in world football. Since his move to Sevilla, he has made 114 appearances for the Spanish outfit, In this time he has recorded seven goals and three assists from centre-half. (stats via Tranfermarkt)
This season yet again, Kounde has been reliable at the back for the Spanish outfit. He has featured in 25 games in all competitions this term. Scoring one and assisting one in this time. (stats via Tranfermarkt) Kounde has also established himself on the international stage. He has earned seven caps for his national team and he was a part of the French team that lifted the UEFA Nations League trophy this term.
He has averaged 0.9 tackles, 0.8 interceptions, and 2.9 cleaners per game in the LaLiga this term. On top of that, he has averaged 4.2 long balls per game and maintained a very respectable pass accuracy of 89.1% in the league this term. (stats via Whoscored ) These stats show he is clearly good enough to play in the Premier League and could be one of the best options for Tuchel’s preferred three centre-half formation.
Chelsea are also scouting Leicester City centre-half Wesley Fofana. Fofana is currently on the sidelines due to an injury he picked up in pre-season. But looks set to make his return pretty soon in the league.
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