Barcelona defender does not want to leave, only seeking a change in position

Barcelona have gone from rags to riches in the centre-back department over the past few years. It was not too long ago that the Catalans depended on an aged Gerard Pique, Clement Lenglet and Samuel Umtiti to guard the back line but the situation now is contrastingly different.

The same team that could not stop conceding is now on the verge of setting a new defensive record for the least goals conceded. In Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Jules Kounde, Marcos Alonso, and Eric Garcia, Xavi Hernandez has reliable names all around.

The downside of having too many quality options for the same position is the division of labour. It is on this front that Jules Kounde feels hard done at Barcelona, ultimately paving the way to rumours about him being open to leave earlier today.

According to Gabriel Sans of Mundo Deportivo, however, Kounde does not want to leave the club. He just wishes to be deployed in the position he was promised for next season – at centre-back.

The Frenchman has been a regular starter all campaign for Xavi’s side and has arguably been one of the team’s best defenders. However, he has been primarily used to cover for the team’s lack of a right-back and has thus seen few chances in his niche position.

His frustration now has him on the edge and reports earlier in the day stated that he was open to making a shock departure less than a year into his stint at the club.

While reports suggested that Barcelona value him at €80 million, it would be a massive loss for the side to let go of a player with such a high ceiling. And they do not intend to do so either, with Xavi guaranteeing Kounde that he will play as a centre-half next season.

Kounde received a rare start as a centre-back in Barcelona’s last game against Real Sociedad but things did not pan out as the Frenchman would have expected. His horrendous error in the first half gifted the Basque side their opening goal and helped them to a 2-1 win on the night.