After Jules Kounde’s rejection, Chelsea shifts its attention and chooses a new target
Chelsea is prepared to shift their attention as their chances of acquiring Jules Kounde from Sevilla are rapidly dwindling.
The Blues have had their eye on the France international for more than a year, and they nearly signed the defender last summer until the Spanish club pulled the plug at the eleventh hour.
Following the exits of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, Chelsea rekindled their interest in Kounde, but it appears that the player’s desire to join Barcelona will ultimately be the deciding factor.
After making his debut against Arsenal earlier this month, Kalidou Koulibaly showed he has the skills to take Ruidger’s place at the center of Chelsea’s defense.
However, a 4-0 loss underlined the team’s weaknesses. Before the transfer window shuts, players like veteran defenders Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso, who are both desired by Barcelona, may go.
The Evening Standard claims that Chelsea will give up on Kounde and instead focus on Inter’s wing-back Denzel Dumfries.
Given Kounde’s diminutive stature, Tuchel is rumored to have had some qualms about him. Although Dumfries wouldn’t address that problem, his signing might portend a potential position move for Reece James.
The England international played more frequently on the right side of a back three near the conclusion of the previous campaign, and Tuchel has previously acknowledged he is undecided as to where James’ long-term career might lie.
This summer, Inter is willing to let go of either Dumfries or Milan Skriniar, and while PSG is interested in the Slovakian international, they are not willing to pay his £59 million asking price.
Skriniar may have been a target for Chelsea as well, but Dumfries is reportedly a more appealing option right now.
The new Premier League season is rapidly approaching, and Tuchel struck a disgruntled figure last Saturday as Arsenal ripped his team to shreds. He later discussed the critical need to make more signings.
“It’s not just about bringing in players for quantity; we need both quantity and quality,” he remarked.
So, not only will we make some decisions concerning people later, but also about systems. A left-footer would be ideal for us.