Barcelona’s void at right-back was a gaping drawback on the membership for a number of years, and solely Dani Alves’ temporary return appeared to fill the void.
Jules Kounde, initially taking part in as a stand-in right-back, nevertheless, has now made the place his personal to the purpose that the membership not contemplate the necessity to signal a brand new participant within the place.
Over time, the Frenchman has established himself and grown into his new area of interest and is now one of many first names on Hansi Flick’s crew sheet. Final weekend, he as soon as once more delivered a sensational present to maintain Vinicius Jr at bay in El Clasico.
Chatting with La Vanguardia in a current interview, the Barcelona defender opened up on a plethora of subjects together with the crew’s younger skills, his position and evolution on the membership.
Beginning off, the previous Sevilla star opened up on his coaching regime, which Hansi Flick even praised earlier this season as one thing he had by no means seen earlier than. Elaborating on why he prioritised health to that extent, he revealed it was to keep away from accidents which he hated.
“I hate getting injured, I hate it a lot I can’t stand it so I do my greatest to keep away from it.”
The participant was then requested if he cherished Barcelona from when he was a baby, to which he curiously replied that he by no means adopted golf equipment however particular person gamers.
“I used to help Bordeaux and I’m extra inclined in the direction of the gamers than the golf equipment. I don’t have the spirit of a fan.I cherished Zidane and Ronaldinho,” he added.
On Hansi Flick and Xavi
Jules Kounde defined the distinction between Flick and Xavi. (Picture by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Photographs)
Talking on how Hansi Flick is within the dressing room and off the sector by way of his calls for for the gamers, Kounde mentioned,
“Flick cares about each element. He doesn’t simply care concerning the gamers but additionally the technical and medical workers.”
“He additionally pays quite a lot of consideration to behaviours, generally in coaching when somebody shouldn’t be behaving properly he intervenes and corrects their behaviour and he’s proper to take action as a result of ultimately respect is what issues most,” he added.
Numerous slack has been thrown at Xavi ungratefully in current weeks, particularly given how the crew has obtained off to an excellent begin beneath Flick. Kounde, rightfully, had critical phrases of reward for the previous supervisor.
“We should not overlook what we achieved with Xavi. We should not underestimate the titles now we have received: the league and the Tremendous Cup.”
“At many moments throughout these two years we carried out properly, performed properly and the followers loved it,” he added.
Talking on what went unsuitable final season, the right-back mentioned, “Final season we had very troublesome moments however for me issues should not at all times black or white, usually instances they’re gray and that’s how I see it.”
“Perhaps we did good issues and fewer however he at all times tried and he doesn’t have to show something as a result of Barcelona is the membership of his life, so Xavi shouldn’t be blamed for something.”
Kounde was then requested if the crew had improved beneath Flick conspicuously, to which he mentioned it was due to the recent concepts he introduced.
“Sure, it’s true as a result of the premise of the gamers is identical and the coach got here with a unique dynamic and concepts.”
“Issues are going properly nevertheless it has solely been 3 months and the evaluation is on the finish of the season, however it’s true that thus far we’re doing an excellent job,” he added.
On Barcelona’s children
Jules Kounde is impressed with Cubarsi. (Picture by Alex Caparros/Getty Photographs)
The interview then moved in the direction of the subject of the youthful stars within the dressing room and the teenage core of the crew.
“They’ve a rare maturity for his or her age and I love their capacity to deal with stress,” Kounde started.
“Within the locker room they’re like kids making noise that may crack your head,” he added.
Taking the instance of Pau Cubarsi, he expressed his amazement at how the teen was so mature for his age, one thing even he wasn’t at 17 years previous.
“Have a look at Pau Cubarsi, I keep in mind myself after I was 17 I wasn’t at this degree and this confidence and calm, and that’s what amazes me probably the most, that issues go easily with him and he handles the stress naturally.”
On Lamine Yamal, the bonafide star on Barcelona’s proper wing, he mentioned,
“Lamine has solely been right here for one 12 months and has turn into a key participant and an influential participant. Whenever you watch him play, he appears like he’s having fun with himself in his backyard.”
Recommendation to Lamine Yamal
Kounde has nothing however reward for Yamal. (Picture by David Ramos/Getty Photographs)
Whereas he did bathe big reward on the teen, he added that he tried to move on data to Yamal once in a while since they play on the identical flank.
“Sure after all, that is my position, even when he performs at a excessive degree, there are nonetheless issues he has to be taught and issues he has not but realised.”
“Lamine is a younger man who listens, not solely to me however to everybody, the coach and the skilled gamers. Although he’s a key participant, he’s an individual who listens and this is essential for his future,” he added.
On the crew’s defensive ways
On Barcelona’s offside entice, which has been working wonders this season, the Frenchman revealed the aware efforts being put behind the scenes to make it profitable.
“For the reason that starting of the season, now we have been coaching loads on the offside entice via movies. It is extremely essential for the coach and requires intelligence and focus.”
Regardless of the additional effort, he revealed he loved taking part in the offside entice and defined the explanation behind his selection.
“I take pleasure in it, are you aware why? As a result of this type permits the crew to press, win the ball again in superior areas and create possibilities, and I feel the crew understands that very properly, even the strikers.”
“Defending shouldn’t be the job of solely 5 gamers. We can not play with a excessive defence if there isn’t any stress up entrance, in any other case we will probably be uncovered. This may at all times be a part of our identification,” he added.
Vinicius vs Yamal
Jules Kounde speaks on Vinicius vs Yamal. (Picture by Alex Caparros/Getty Photographs)
Kounde was then requested if it was tougher going up towards Vinicius Jr or Lamine Yamal in coaching, to which he mentioned,
“Lamine and I are often on the identical crew, and when he’s towards me, he performs towards me.”
“Vinicius is a superb and decisive participant and it is rather troublesome to defend towards him,” he added.
Lastly, the star defender opened up on what he felt about gossiping. “I don’t thoughts gossiping. I do it off the courtroom and revel in it with my buddies or after I watch it within the NBA. However after I’m taking part in I choose to not waste my vitality on it.”