Why Kounde is a far better signing than Kimpembe for Chelsea
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 19 Jul 2022 21:43 BST
- 4 min read
12 months on from his first transfer saga with Chelsea, Jules Kounde still remains a Sevilla player.
Thomas Tuchel's side had a deal all but wrapped up for the France international last summer until Sevilla upped the price at the last moment, prompting the Blues to pull out of the move.
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That decision enabled Trevoh Chalobah, fresh from returning from a loan spell at Lorient and impressing in pre-season, a regular place in Chelsea's Premier League squad.
The Englishman impressed thoroughly during the 2021-22 season, but the idea of signing Kounde remained an attractive one.
So, when news broke that Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen would be leaving the club on free transfers, Kounde's name naturally went straight to the top of the list.
But, weeks passed without much activity, allowing Barcelona to enter the race for his signature. Chelsea, on the other hand, pursued Matthijs de Ligt before being beaten by Bayern Munich and after Nathan Ake decided to stay at Man City, Kalidou Koulibaly was purchased from Napoli.
However, Tuchel has always wanted at least two new central defenders this summer. Paris Saint-Germain's Presnel Kimpembe has been targeted, but multiple reports, including from the Evening Standard's Nizaar Kinsella, have suggested that the Frenchman doesn't want to move to the West London club.
As a result, Kounde has emerged as the number one target, with talks progressing well in double-quick time. Barcelona still want to sign the France international, but Sevilla would reportedly rather sell to Chelsea, as the Blues aren't a direct rival, and Kounde is happy to join either side.
The Blues are now in advanced talks with Sevilla, and with personal terms having been agreed for a year, the fee is the only talking point. Chelsea have reportedly bid €55 million for the player, while the Spanish club are said to be holding out for €65m.
Why Kounde is the perfect signing
While there's a chance that Chelsea sign both Kounde and Kimpembe, it seems as though the latter will stay at PSG, rather than join Chelsea, purely through choice.
So, Chelsea may be left with Koulibaly and Kounde as their only centre-back additions this summer, potentially giving a chance to Levi Colwill, who has been linked with an exit.
But, news that Kimpembe isn't set on leaving PSG should actually come as a relief to Chelsea, because it means all attention can switch to Kounde, who would be a far better fit.
First of all, the addition of Koulibaly plays into the thinking of why Kounde suits Tuchel's system better. While the Senegal international has played on the right of a centre-back pairing on occasion during his career, he spent almost the entirety of his Napoli career at left-centre-back.
If Kimpembe was signed, then Koulibaly would naturally shift over to the right, but he might not be as effective there. Having signed him this summer, it makes sense to play him in his best position, which seems to be the left-hand-side.
On the other hand, Kounde would allow Koulibaly to take Rudiger's position on the left, while the Sevilla man would slot seamlessly into the right-centre-back spot, which is where he plays for France.
At 5ft10in, Kounde suits playing in a back-three perfectly, and he has the progressive element to his play that would help Chelsea break through deep-blocks far more effectively than during the 2021-22 campaign.
Kounde is also a far more polished player than Kimpembe. While the PSG man is an exceptional defender on his day, he does have an erratic streak in his play which seems him exposed on occasions. Kounde may not have the same level of experience, but he's a composed customer, and rarely makes mistakes like Kimpembe can do.
In addition to that, he simply suits Tuchel's system better, and he is a better fit given the personnel already at Stamford Bridge.
Signing Kimpembe would completely end the aforementioned Colwill's chances of game-time this upcoming season, given both are left-footed, while Kounde fills a hole on the opposite flank instead.
Cesar Azpilicueta reportedly wants to join Barcelona, leaving Chalobah as the only option at right-centre-back at current. Therefore, Kounde is needed and he will elevate Chelsea to the next level.
