Barcelona have been in excellent domestic form this season. Following Sunday’s narrow 1-0 victory over Villarreal, Xavi Hernandez’s side sit 11 points clear of Real Madrid, despite having played a game more.
The win against the Yellow Submarine also saw Barcelona keep their 15th clean sheet of the season in La Liga after just 21 matches. It’s a remarkable statistic, especially when you consider that they have been playing without a natural right back for much of the season.
Having been signed from Sevilla last summer, Jules Kounde was brought in to primarily be a central defender, but the Frenchman has regularly played on the right side of defense instead, due to the lack of strength in depth in the position.
In an interview with TV3, Kounde reiterated his preference to play as a center back but insisted that he will continue to play on the right for as long as Xavi requires him to.
"Everyone knows my preference." I am adapting to Now I have to play on the wing, but I do it for the team. "There are games that I enjoy more and others that I enjoy less."
Despite having played him out of position for much of his Barcelona career, the 24-year-old heaped praise on Xavi and stated that his hunger for success has spread to the Barca squad.
"He transmits a lot of desire to the players." He is the leader of the team. Every day he wakes up hungry, with this ambition to play better and to win, win, win. "It is seen at every moment, in team talks and in training."
Kounde is expected to start in his preferred position against Manchester United in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie on Thursday, with Ronald Araujo expected to be moved to right back.
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