Al-Ahly experience inspires Flick: unexpected return for Barcelona star
An important question from the Jamber Cup match
Jules Koundé returned to familiar territory during the Joan Gamper Trophy. The Frenchman lined up in the heart of the defence against Egypt's Al-Ahly, in Hansi Flick's final test before the start of the Spanish league.
Having settled at right-back over several seasons, the Barcelona player reclaimed his natural role in the centre of the back line. The decision opens a new path for the German coach in preparation for the 2026-2027 season.
Timing makes the experiment all the more significant. Barcelona begin their Spanish league campaign today, Sunday, against Elche, and Flick still needs to settle some components of his defensive line.
Against the Egyptian side, Koundé played centre-back alongside Gerard Martín, while Eric García occupied the right-back position.
According to a report by the Catalan newspaper Sport, "This arrangement does not appear to be random, and may provide indications about the coach's plans for the current season."
Koundé was not at his best on the only goal Barcelona conceded. Ahmed Sayed Zizo punished him after the Frenchman looked overly lax in one of the one-on-one duels. Even so, he left good impressions overall on his return to the heart of the defence.
That level of performance may push Flick to turn the experiment from a mere pre-season test into a genuine option, opening the door for Koundé to take on a more regular role in the heart of the defence throughout the season.
A position he knows perfectly: recapturing his best form
Koundé arrived at Barcelona in 2022 from Sevilla, one of La Liga's most prominent defenders. He built his name at the highest level in the centre-back role, first with Bordeaux and then with the Andalusian side. His spell at Barcelona, though, forced him to reinvent himself.
Season by season, the Frenchman became a regular right-back, especially under Flick. His pace, his ability to defend in open spaces and his quality on the ball delivered very high levels in a position that was never originally his.
Last season told a different story. Koundé fell short of his best, and that reopened the door to a return to the centre of defence. He has settled into the right-back role with France too. A strong showing at the 2026 World Cup, where the French reached the semi-finals, proved he can do the job efficiently. Now Flick wants a more brilliant and familiar version of the player back. Ronald Araújo's departure and the need to manage the minutes of the other defenders have only strengthened the case for using Koundé at the heart of the defence, an option the coaching staff had been studying for weeks.
Eric Garcia gains greater importance
Koundé's shift is also tied to the role Flick wants for Eric García. The player was outstanding last season at right-back, and the German coach now looks ready to make him a key option there.
Eric, a natural centre-back, revealed after the Joan Gamper Trophy match that Flick had told him he wanted to use him more on that flank, according to a report in "Sport". His versatility lets the coach rotate his squad without reshaping the back line. Koundé at centre-back and Eric García at right-back could now become far more common than anyone expected a few weeks ago.
Unexpected return: could Koundé become a new weapon?
The newspaper posed the most important question: "Is what appeared against Al-Ahli linked only to the requirements of a pre-season period still under construction, or is Flick preparing Koundé to reclaim a greater role at the heart of the defence?".
Koundé faces competition at the centre of defence from Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Andreas Christensen and the young Álvaro Cortés, all while Barcelona await the possible arrival of a new defender. His experience, pace and ability to defend away from the penalty area make him a particularly useful player for a side who need defenders capable of covering the wide spaces behind them.
For now, the Joan Gamper Trophy match offered the first clue. Koundé returned to his origins, just as a season begins in which Flick may turn his versatility into one of the team's main weapons.
Departure talk has followed Koundé all summer, with Arsenal reportedly circling. Yet Spanish reports confirmed a few days ago that he does not wish to leave the Camp Nou.
