Why I snubbed Chelsea and Tuchel move for Barcelona – Jules Kounde reveals finally reveals Key reason
Following Jules Kounde’s switch to Barcelona following a preliminary agreement, Chelsea missed out on another transfer target this week.
The fact that Chelsea failed to conclude a deal to bring Kounde to Stamford Bridge last summer as a result of Sevilla moving the goalposts, which Chelsea refused to accept, showed that Kounde had been a long-term priority for the Blues.
The 23-year-old was on the shortlist of defensive candidates to replace the departing Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger in Chelsea’s depleted back line.
At the beginning of the summer transfer window, the France international dropped from the club’s top target to fourth in the standings.
However, Matthijs de Ligt and Nathan Ake were preferred by Thomas Tuchel, but Chelsea failed to land either with De Ligt heading to Bayern Munich.
Chelsea managed to land Kalidou Koulibaly, which allowed Chelsea to turn their attention to Kounde to bring in.
But they were joined by Barcelona in showing interest in Kounde, however it appeared Chelsea had nearly won the race after agreeing a fee with Sevilla.
Following the confirmation, Kounde revealed what swayed his decision to stay in Spain rather than make the move to England, putting it down to the conversations with Xavi.
He told Barca TV: “Xavi is largely responsible (for the decision). His speech excited me.
“I spoke several times with him. The conversations were very fluid and he gave me the feeling that we see football in the same way.
“I’m going to come and hopefully do my best to play a leading role for this club.
“I’m very proud, grateful and excited because I have arrived at a very big club with a team that is also like that.
“I want to start playing with the team and join my team-mates as soon as possible.
“Sevilla are a great club but Barcelona is one more step in my career on every level, especially sporting. I will try to win as many titles as possible.”
Tuchel has now been left scrambling to find alternative targets as another defensive pursuit fails.