{"id":5253,"date":"2026-05-07T07:59:49","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T07:59:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=5253"},"modified":"2026-05-07T07:59:49","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T07:59:49","slug":"chelsea-transfer-target-has-already-admitted-hed-rather-play-for-xavi-than-thomas-tuchel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=5253","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea transfer target has already admitted he’d rather play for Xavi than Thomas Tuchel"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Jules Kounde made a telling comment after choosing a move to Barcelona over Chelsea, specifically because of new manager target Xavi Hernandez.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chelsea unsuccessfully pursued the defender before he joined Barcelona in 2022. That rejection remains a point of contention for many supporters, especially as Chelsea has grappled with consistent defensive instability throughout the 2025\/26 campaign. <\/p>\n

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Injuries, such as the long-term ACL absence of Levi Colwill, have exposed the fragility, leaving the Blues vulnerable to set-pieces and quick transitions. <\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Kounde has enjoyed another impressive season in Spain, appearing 48 times and helping Barcelona secure the Spanish Super Cup. <\/p>\n

His ability to defend high up the pitch and operate calmly in possession is exactly the profile Chelsea has desperately lacked.<\/p>\n

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QUARTER-FINAL 1: Reece James vs Estevao Willian<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Jules Kounde enjoyed playing under Xavi at Barcelona<\/h2>\n

It has been reported that Chelsea have an interest in signing Barclona defender Jules Kounde all these years later, but he\u2019s seen as non-transferable.<\/p>\n

Interestingly, it could have been different if it wasn\u2019t for Xavi at Barcelona, as Kounde preferred the approach in comparison to Thomas Tuchel when he was Chelsea boss (Goal).<\/p>\n

\u201cI enjoyed our conversation (with Xavi)\u201d he said. \u201cTime flew by, and that\u2019s always a good sign when you\u2019re talking so naturally. We mainly talk about football, which is what I like talking about most, especially with the manager, Xavi, who was one of the best players ever.<\/p>\n

\u201cI spoke to Tuchel and felt that he wanted me to go, but I simply preferred Xavi\u2019s approach.<\/p>\n

\u201cI chose Bara because I know that most of the time I will play in this position (centre-back).\u201d<\/p>\n

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Xavi\u2019s win rate is impressive \u2013 would you take him at Chelsea?<\/h3>\n

He’s won 156 of 244 games.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Chelsea have blown their chance of signing Kounde<\/h2>\n

Chelsea\u2019s attempt to finally land Jules Kounde this season will once again falter.<\/p>\n

The Blues\u2019 lack of guaranteed Champions League football for the 2026\/27 campaign has severely hampered their bargaining power. <\/p>\n

Plus, given the fact that the Chelsea players will be forced to have their salary reduced by between \u00a330,000 and \u00a340,000 per week \u2014 roughly \u00a32 million per year \u2014 if, and when, they miss out on Champions League football. So they\u2019ll struggle to meet his demands.<\/p>\n

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