Chelsea failed to bring Jules Koundé to Stamford Bridge after chasing him for the last two summer windows.
The Blues’ efforts to sign the defender were rejected by Sevilla in 2021, while they lost out to Barcelona in the recently concluded window.
Back in July, Sevilla sporting director Monchi confirmed his side had reached a verbal agreement with Chelsea for the 23-year-old’s sale, before the deal collapsed. This let the Catalan club come into the picture and complete his signing.
L’Equipe had an opportunity to interview the France international, where he revealed to he’d held talks with both Xavi Hernández and Thomas Tuchel, who left Stamford Bridge earlier this month. The conversation with the Barca manager was vital for the centre-back to pick the Blaugrana over the west London club.
“First, I arrive at a huge club, which has known good times and which, lately, has had less. I come to a project that I would not call reconstruction, because we already have a competitive team, but rather a rebound,” he said, as relayed by Sport on Monday.
“I was interested in being part of this new wave, in search of titles, and putting Barça back where it has always been, among the best. Then there was the conversation with the coach. We talk about football, mainly. I felt real confidence, real knowledge of my game and my qualities.
“When I talked to him [Xavi], he told me that my qualities correspond to his game plan, starting from the back, playing high, using my qualities of speed and anticipation. He also wants an aggressive team: we are one of the teams that presses high, runs the most.”
“I spoke with Tuchel, and I also felt that he wanted me to come [to Chelsea], but I simply preferred Xavi’s speech.”
Koundé has enjoyed a good start to his Barcelona career, managing three assists from five games in all competitions.
The ex-Sevilla star’s decision to snub Chelsea saw them invest big on his compatriot, Wesley Fofana. He arrived at Stamford Bridge from Leicester City.
