Chelsea keep Jules Koundé on their radar despite reduced role at Barça

Chelsea have not given up on Jules Koundé. The 27-year-old defender has seen his role diminish at Barcelona, but the London club continues to monitor his situation. According to reports from England, he is among their options for the winter transfer window.

At the start of this season, Koundé featured in five of Barcelona’s eight matches — seven in LaLiga and one in the Champions League — but started only twice. For France, he did not play a minute against Italy on Friday in the Nations League, or in the match against Belgium on September 28. He had, however, played against Turkey on September 25. He watched the Belgium and Italy matches from the bench.

The distribution of roles at Barça helps explain his reduced involvement: Flick has chosen Eric García on the defensive flank, while Gerard Martín, Cubarsí and Christensen have been his first choices in central defence. Koundé, whom the London team have tracked for years, has consequently lost ground in Flick’s starting side.

The defender has extended his contract with Barça until 2030. He is described as happy at Spotify Camp Nou, but neither he nor Barça are yet aware of the interest attributed to Chelsea.