Barcelona defender does not want to continue at right-back next season – report

Back when Barcelona signed Jules Kounde from Sevilla for €50 million, he was clear of the idea that he would not want to be a right-back. At that time, Barcelona had Hector Bellerin and Sergi Roberto to cover the position, but that is not how things went down.

To begin with, Bellerin’s Barcelona tenure was cut short as he failed to match the expectations while Roberto struggled to stay fit. As a result, Xavi was forced to use either Kounde or Ronald Araujo as a right-back for the most part of the season, and the former Sevilla defender is said to be unhappy with the situation.

His discontent stretches to the extent that he does not want to be a full-back for Barcelona in the 2023-24 season and he has made himself very clear to the management, reports Spanish publication Diario AS.

Journalist Juan Jimenez writes that Kounde’s performance this season has not really met expectations. His display in the last two games, against Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano, highlighted his shortcomings as a full-back as the likes of Yannick Carrasco and Alvaro caused problems.

The management is of the idea that Kounde lacks the explosiveness and speed to be a right-back and the player is very much aware of his weakness. “I lack reference points in the full-back position,” admits the French defender.

Kounde’s case will be discussed by the management towards the end of the season. It is no secret that Xavi desperately wants a right-back, but the management cannot promise him anything at the moment because the focus is on other operations.

This involves signing Lionel Messi, Inigo Martinez, Ilkay Gundogan and the registrations of Gavi and Araujo. Hence, acquiring a right-back is certainly not at the top of Barcelona’s agenda, but the player has made his voice known that he does not want to be the right-back of Barça next season.