Jules Kounde’s struggle to secure a regular starting role at Barcelona and with France has continued, with Zinedine Zidane unable to change the defender’s situation after leaving him on the bench for two international matches.
The 27-year-old joined the France squad having been used as a substitute in six of Barcelona’s seven La Liga matches this season. His only start came against Rayo Vallecano.
Kounde was also left out of the squad for the final three matches against Levante, Racing de Santander and Sevilla. He had come on as a substitute against Valencia after Eric Garcia suffered an injury.
Zidane initially offered Kounde encouragement at the start of his time in charge of France. He named him the team’s fourth captain, behind Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Adrien Rabiot, and selected him at right-back for the 1-0 victory over Turkey, in which he played the full match.
However, the manager quickly changed his approach. Pierre Kalulu, the Juventus player, started at right-back against Belgium and then Italy, while Kounde remained an unused substitute in both matches.
The next meeting with Belgium could therefore prove significant in deciding whether Kalulu has established himself as Zidane’s first choice or whether the France manager will return to rotating between the two players.
Kounde’s position at Barcelona appears no more secure. Hansi Flick has previously confirmed that he is relying on Eric Garcia at right-back, while also discussing with Kounde the possibility of moving back to central defence.
Kounde excelled in that position during his first season with Barcelona, and Flick said he wanted to see the defender reproduce that level of performance.
“He is a top-class professional. He has to compete, and he is doing his best in training,” Flick said. “I also spoke to him about the possibility of playing as a centre-back. He gave a great performance in his first season with us and we want to see him at the same level again.”
The German coach added that competition within the squad benefited Barcelona, stressing that his decisions were always based on what he believed was best for the team rather than on any individual player.
Kounde is consequently facing a dual challenge to regain his place. Once an established figure for both Barcelona and France, he now has to overcome strong competition for his position, with his route back into the starting line-up still uncertain.
