With Todd Boehly’s consortium completing their takeover of Chelsea imminently, the club will once again be able to conduct transfer-related business. That’s huge for the club in what is set to be their biggest summer transfer window in recent times.And one of the first acquisitions could be a player that was supposed to be brought a few transfer windows ago but the deal did not see the light of day. And it could happen this time around – Jules Kounde to Chelsea.The Blues came really close to signing the French defender last summer, Kounde had agreed personal terms with the west London club in late August, the sale of Kurt Zouma to West Ham United was holding any deal up, but even after that was sanctioned, a move for Kounde collapsed.03.06. Fri 21:45: (1.75) France (3.60) Denmark (5.60)It impacted Chelsea and it affected Kounde as well. Sevilla were not willing to sell Kounde unless his 85 million USD release clause was met. The Blues wanted the Frenchman to come then but financially, it could actually work out better for the Blues.Now, the Spanish outfit will reportedly settle for more than 25 million USD less with the Andalusians said to be in a bit of a financial struggle at the moment.Comfortable in possession, dominant in the air and able to make quick recoveries should the defence be caught out – Kounde is the ideal fit for a modern-day centre-back. Additionally, the Frenchman has played as a right-back at times for his club and country.Chelsea have no intention to give up on Jules Koundé even if Sevilla have already sold Diego Carlos to Aston Villa. 🔵 #CFCThomas Tuchel wants Koundé and he wants Premier League move. Chelsea are prepared to open talks once sanctions will be over. pic.twitter.com/w3Hvb2Ey0e— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 26, 2022 The right-hand side of Thomas Tuchel’s back-three would be the perfect slot for Kounde to slot in, theoretically.Just like Antonio Rudiger, he often drives forward with the ball and looks to join the midfield. This is something that is crucial in the build-up play for elite teams. If the Frenchman was to come in, it wouldn’t be as a replacement for the energetic German.”Jules Kounde is an ideal modern centre-back,” former Sevilla captain Pablo Alfaro told The Athletic in March 2021. “He is not so big and physically powerful, but he is very versatile, flexible, athletic, intuitive – these are the best characteristics for today’s football.”The most important virtue in a footballer is intelligence and the capacity to adapt, and Kounde has that in spades. With these technical and physical qualities, he fits perfectly with our current globalised football.”Already three signings: Steve G ‘steals’ Diego Carlos from NewcastleWith Andreas Christensen also leaving Stamford Bridge, Kounde’s only competition on the right defensive side will be captain Cesar Azpilicueta and rising youngster Trevoh Chalobah. Chalobah has been so impressive in his breakthrough season for Chelsea but Kounde’s potential arrival could be the only issue as the Frenchman might be a hurdle in Englishman’s development.Another possible colleague of Kounde could be the experienced Thiago Silva, who has been great in that middle centre-back role but the Brazilian turns 38 in September. That could lead to Chalobah taking over the middle of the back-three thus teaming up with the versatile Frenchman.Premier League and UK government approve Boehly’s takeover of ChelseaThe public understands that Kounde remains keen on a move to Chelsea and the challenge of the Premier League is something that the defender relishes. The Blues are still pursuing the Frenchman, as well, and with Sevilla’s reported willingness to sell this summer, then a deal should be far easier to strike.Apart from Kounde, RB Leipzig’s Croat Josko Guardiol has been mentioned as one of the targets in order to refresh the Blues defensive line. After all, the defence is the first priority for Tuchel and his staff.
