Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has been experimenting with Jules Kounde in a centre-back role during training sessions in preparation for the upcoming Valencia fixture. The 27-year-old French defender, who has primarily featured at right-back for the club in recent seasons, is being evaluated in a more central defensive position as Flick explores tactical options.
The decision comes amid defensive challenges at Barcelona. The club allowed both Ronald Araujo and Alvaro Cortes to depart during the summer transfer window but did not bring in a replacement centre-back. This has left Flick with limited natural options in the position, relying mainly on Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, and Andreas Christensen. While Eric Garcia and Kounde can operate centrally, their primary roles have been elsewhere on the pitch.
Kounde brings valuable experience to centre-back, having played there regularly earlier in his career at Sevilla and during his initial Barcelona years. His pace and defensive abilities away from the goal line align well with Flick’s tactical preferences for aggressive pressing and handling wide spaces. Testing him in this role provides Flick with additional defensive flexibility across the season without requiring market intervention.
The versatility offered by having Kounde available for both right-back and centre-back positions gives Flick greater rotation options as Barcelona navigate a demanding campaign. Whether Kounde starts centrally against Valencia remains uncertain, but the exploration suggests Flick is building squad depth through internal solutions rather than emergency signings.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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