Kounde opens up on 'hectic' summer of Chelsea transfer rumours
Stefan Bienkowski
- 29 Sept 2021 18:45 BST
- 5 min read
Sevilla central defender Jules Kounde has admitted that the summer transfer period was notably “hectic” due to the constant rumours linking him with a move to Chelsea.
The French defender was the subject of intense transfer speculation throughout the summer as the Stamford Bridge side reportedly tried and failed to bring him to the club.
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However, a price was never agreed between the two clubs and Kounde ultimately stayed put in Spain.
Reports in England have suggested that Chelsea haven’t given up on signing the 22-year-old talent and could come back in for him in January.
However, for now Kounde is happy to brush off a lively summer off-season and focus on his football.
“We all know the summer has been hectic, I wouldn’t say complicated. But that’s the past now," he said in a press conference on Wednesday.
“I am focused on the team. The most important performance is on the pitch. The team needs me and I need the team too to give my best and that’s what I’m trying to do.
“So far I’m happy with the results of the team and my personal performances, although I can still improve and have a better season than the previous one.”
Will Chelsea sign Kounde in January?
Chelsea’s need to sign Kounde in January will depend entirely on how contract negotiations go between now and then with the club’s three most important defenders.
Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger and Thiago Silva are all out of contract at the end of the season and it remains to be seen if any of them have any intentions of staying at the club next season.
It seems likely that Christensen and Rudiger will be offered new deals, which means Chelsea will likely need to sign another defender to step into Silva’s role in the squad. However, that may not be necessary until the summer off-season.
Read more about: La Liga, Premier League, Chelsea, Sevilla, Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rüdiger, Jules Koundé
