Kounde "unhappy with Xavi as relationship turns sour due to failed promise"
According to reports, Barcelona defender Jules Kounde is unhappy with his manager Xavi Hernandez, and their relationship has become strained. The source of the tension is Kounde being repeatedly played out of position as a right-back, despite being promised a role in central defense when he joined the club from Sevilla for €55 million with add-ons last summer.
Kounde has reportedly made it clear that he is not comfortable playing on the flanks and wants to play in his preferred position in central defense. However, Barcelona has been struggling with a shortage of full-back options, which has resulted in Kounde being utilized as a right-back frequently.
Kounde's situation is particularly perplexing as the team has been experimenting with other players in unusual positions. For example, left-back Marcos Alonso has played as a centre-back on occasion, while Andreas Christensen has returned to the starting XI at the expense of Alonso in some games.
Despite Kounde's reservations about playing as a right-back, he found himself in that position in his team's recent 4-0 win against Real Betis in La Liga. However, his performance in recent weeks has left a lot to be desired.
Barcelona is reportedly aware of the need to find a natural right-back, with the club loaning Sergio Dest to AC Milan last summer and selling Hector Bellerin to Sporting CP in January. Manchester City loanee Joao Cancelo has been rumored to be a possible option.
Kounde
is widely regarded as one of the most promising defenders in Europe and is expected to have a bright future ahead of him. However, his current situation at Barcelona has raised questions about his development and future prospects.
It remains to be seen how the situation between Kounde and Xavi will be resolved, but it is clear that the Frenchman is not content with his current role in the team. Whether Barcelona will be able to find a solution that satisfies both parties remains to be seen, but Kounde's unhappiness is unlikely to go away unless he is given the opportunity to play in central defense regularly.
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