Kounde ignoring Monchi, Lopetegui calls over Chelsea debacle
Jules Kounde is reportedly ‘absolutely furious’ at Sevilla for not selling him to Chelsea this summer.
The French defender was linked with a move to Stamford Bridge throughout the window and is said to have agreed personal terms with the Premier League side.
But Sevilla denied that they were ever close to agreeing a fee for Kounde, despite various reports suggesting a price tag of around €50m had been agreed.
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Sporting director Monchi held a press conference on deadline day to explain the situation.
He said: “The only written, formal offer from Chelsea came last Wednesday, around 5pm.
“We weren’t satisfied with the offer, and it was linked to Chelsea selling a player. It was a decent fee but it didn’t meet our criteria.
“We haven’t spoken with Chelsea since Friday night. We all decided that it was best Jules didn’t travel to Elche. It’s normal for players to be affected by news of any kind. Last year he had the interest from City and now Chelsea this year.
“Kounde’s clause never went up to €90million. It has always been €80m.”
Reports suggest Thomas Tuchel could well return for the 22-year-old in January, but for now Kounde is stuck in Seville.
A reality which doesn’t seem to have gone down too well.
Jules Kounde reportedly absolutely furious at Sevilla for not selling him to Chelsea. Apparently not answering the phone to Monchi or Lopetegui.
— The Spanish Football Podcast (@tsf_podcast) September 2, 2021
The Spanish Football Podcast claims ‘a well connected source who covers Sevilla’ has informed them that Kounde is ‘absolutely furious’ and is refusing to answer phonecalls from Monchi and manager Julen Lopetegui.
But while Gary Neville claims the Blues have been left a bit “light” due to their failure to land Kounde, they still have the squad to “challenge on all fronts” this season.
He said: “You could argue that Chelsea may be a bit light at the back, but what they do have is a system of playing with those two players sat in front of that back three that makes them solid. So what Thomas Tuchel has done since he’s come in is maybe recognise that they can’t be a back four.
“If you were looking at them as a pair of centre-backs you wouldn’t be sure about them winning the league, but with the three they have at the back, and sometimes it becomes a five with the two protecting in front, Chelsea are more than comfortable.
“They’ve got a system of playing that protects the individuals from potentially being isolated and that now, with the confidence and the belief they have when you win a Champions League like they did last season and with the business they have done in the transfer window, they are going to be very difficult to stop.”
