Jules Kounde says he must regain his place in Barcelona’s starting line-up after admitting he has not matched last season’s form.
The France right-back has made fewer appearances for the Catalan club this season, with Eric Garcia being used at right-back instead. Kounde did not blame his manager, saying the situation was a challenge he had to meet himself.
“This is the coach’s decision,” Kounde said at a news conference on the eve of France’s Nations League meeting with Belgium in the fourth round.
“I feel physically very good and I have no injury, but if I am playing less, it is because I have been below the level I showed last season.”
He added: “I accept it as a challenge. I will continue working as I always do because it is up to me to return to my best level. I know that when I am at my best, I will get the chance to play.”
Kounde’s role with France has also changed since Zinedine Zidane became head coach. He had been a regular selection for Didier Deschamps, but started and completed the match against Turkey on 25 September in Zidane’s first game in charge.
He was then left out altogether for France’s next two matches against Belgium and Italy. The upcoming meeting with Belgium at Saint-Denis could give him an opportunity to reclaim his place in the national team.
Kounde praised Zidane’s early work with France and said the new manager and his coaching staff were making themselves available to the players both on and off the pitch.
“Zidane is easy to communicate with and he likes talking to us on and off the pitch. The same applies to his coaching staff,” Kounde said.
“Everyone is ready to offer advice to help us improve our performances. I do not like comparisons, but the coach is working hard to make us an attacking team.”
The Barcelona defender said Zidane had also identified areas of his game that needed improvement, particularly his ability to retain possession and control the ball.
“I do not know whether there has been a radical change, but it fits with the coach’s collective desire to control the game, especially through possession,” Kounde said.
He added that he still had considerable room for development.
“I have a lot of scope to improve. I can waste less time and energy and be more direct,” he said.
“He also asks me to contribute in attack whenever the opportunity arises, but that is not something new for me.”
