Transfer News: Liverpool have dropped their interest in Chelsea target Jules Kounde
According to French sports daily L’Equipe via InsideFutbol (h/t Football.London), Liverpool are no longer in contention for Chelsea target Jules Kounde.
The Sevilla star has developed himself into one of the top young defenders in La Liga. The French defender is enjoying an emphatic spell with the La Liga side and has already made 24 appearances for them this season. Kounde is quite comfortable on the ball and would fit in like a glove at the back for the Blues.
Koundé’s talents have attracted much attention from the elite European clubs and it will not come as a surprise if he chooses to leave Sevilla for greener pastures in the future. Chelsea tried to push for the French star’s signature last summer but were unable to get the deal over the line. Despite missing out, the Blues retain an interest in securing the defender’s services.
Liverpool were also keen on the 24-year-old but have now dropped their pursuit. The Reds signed Ibrahima Konate last summer and have considerable strength in depth in the central defensive position. Any team that can call upon Nathaniel Phillips as a fifth choice will have little need to bring in another player in the same position.
However, the scenario at Chelsea is entirely different. The contracts of Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and César Azpilicueta are still hanging by a thread and are set to expire at the end of the current season. Should any of them fail to pen an extension, Chelsea will have much work to do in the summer transfer window.
Injuries also have shown Chelsea that they need to dip into the market for a new centre-back. With Thiago Silva and Christensen sidelined, Tuchel took the risk of starting Trevoh Chalobah against Liverpool. The move didn’t go as planned as the academy graduate had to be substituted due to fitness concerns of his own.
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Malang Sarr has been a regular choice for the former Dortmund manager in the last few matches. However, keeping the inconsistency of the French star in mind, we cannot bet the fate of the season on the 22-years-old.
Kounde has already shown that he has what it takes to make it at the top level. Even though the French star could require some time adapting to Chelsea’s style, there is little to suggest that he will not discover his feet quickly. With Liverpool no more in the picture, Tuchel and co can now seize the initiative to land one of the best young defenders in world football for themselves..