Why it feels unlikely Chelsea make January move for €55m defender

Chelsea keep being linked with a Barcelona full back – but we don’t see the move being too realistic for the Blues in January.

The links won’t go away – today it’s Mundo Deportivo in Spain insisting that Chelsea want to sign Jules Kounde from Barcelona.

He’s lost his place in Hansi Flick’s team, and the club are pushing to sell him in January while his value is still high. The Blues, along with a few other Premier League teams, are being put in the picture. Barcelona signed him from under Chelsea’s noses in 2022 for around €55m.

Jules Kounde linked with Chelsea once again

What do we make of these rumours? We’re not convinced. It’s certainly true that Chelsea need defensive improvements, and that Kounde would be a good fit as the right centre back in a back three.

The problem is that Chelsea already have Wesley Fofana and Josh Acheampong as good fits there. Plus Reece James and others who can easily fill in.

Given how much Barcelona want to move on Kounde, this feels like it’s very much being pushed from their end. We think the France international ends up in the Premier League, it just probably won’t be at Chelsea.

In other news…

Xabi Alonso has a lot to think about in this international break – and part of it has to be how to get Estevao into his team.

Morgan Rogers is an exceptional player, and his running stats are as off the charts as his goals and assists.

We’re already thinking ahead to next weekend and which players who have been on international duty might be struggling to be ready for the Bournemouth game.