Jules Koundé Has Established Himself This Season as One of the Best Full-Backs in the World with Hansi Flick. The Frenchman, who in the past showed his preference for playing as a center-back, has ended up adapting to the right flank and becoming a key piece for Barça. His defensive solidity, ability to play the ball out, and physical prowess have been essential for the team, which has allowed him to earn the absolute trust of the German coach.
However, his performance hasn't been without ups and downs. In some matches, Koundé Has Made Occasional Mistakes Due to Lack of Concentration, as Seen in the Recent Match Against Atlético de Madrid. Additionally, he has been involved in certain controversies off the field, as he Has Arrived Late to Technical Talks on a Couple of Occasions, which has cost him penalties from Hansi Flick.
Flick Doesn't Count on Héctor Fort and Koundé Needs a Replacement
One of the factors that could explain these mistakes is the lack of competition in his position. Koundé Is the Player with the Most Minutes on the Squad ahead of Raphinha, as Flick Doesn't Trust Héctor Fort as an Alternative at Right-Back. This has led the Frenchman to accumulate a large number of minutes without rest, which could be affecting both his level of concentration and his physical performance in some matches.
In light of this situation, the club and the coaching staff have concluded that Koundé Needs a Replacement Next Season. The idea is to sign a quality player who can share minutes with him and prevent him from relaxing due to a lack of internal competition. The sports management considers that strengthening the right-back position will be key to continuing to compete at the highest level.
Flick's List: Three Players, Two Top and One Realistic Option
In this regard, Hansi Flick already has some names in mind to strengthen the right-back position. According to 'El Nacional.cat', Two of the Players the German Coach Likes Most Are Joshua Kimmich and Reece James, two world-class footballers.
Kimmich Is an Old Acquaintance of Flick from His Time at Bayern Munich and is an extremely versatile player, capable of Performing Both as a Full-Back and in the Center. His leadership and experience would be a great asset for the team. On the other hand, Reece James, Chelsea's captain, is considered one of the best right-backs in the world, although his Injury History Raises Some Doubts about his viability as a signing.
The Option with the Most Numbers
The most feasible option to strengthen the right-back position is Andrei Rațiu. The Romanian international, currently at Rayo Vallecano, has a release clause of 25 million, making him a more accessible alternative for Barça's economy.
Rațiu has proven to be a solid full-back, with good range and defensive capability, which makes him an Interesting Candidate to Compete with Koundé Next Season.