Football News

Jules Kounde opens up on failed move to Chelsea in the summer

By Ben Green

Published: 14:08, 16 November 2021

Sevilla defender Jules Kounde was in talks with Chelsea over a potential move in the summer, but a deal ultimately fell through.

Thomas Tuchel’s pursuit of the Parisian defender was no great secret during the summer months, as the German looked to bolster his defensive ranks.

The European champions saw centre-back duo Kurt Zouma and Fikayo Tomori leave permanently in the window to West Ham and AC Milan respectively.

Bet £10, Get £20 in Free Bets T&Cs apply

18+, UK only. Deposit and place a minimum £10 cash bet at single or accumulated odds of 1/1 or greater and we will give you 1 x £5 in free bets plus an extra 3 x £5 Free Bets the following day. Applies to first cash bet only. Free bets credited as 4 x £5 bets to use on 3x Any sport & 1x Virtuals. Cashed Out, Void or Draw No Bet wagers do not qualify for this promotion. 1 x £5 Free Bets are credited upon qualifying first bet settlement, other free bets credited by midday the day after your first bet settles. 7-day free bet expiry. Available once per customer. This offer cannot be combined with any other promotion. Full T&C’s apply.

18+ only. New UK customers only. T&Cs apply. Claim Here
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets T&Cs apply

18+ only. Use code BET30. New Players Only. Minimum stake $/€/£ 10, minimum odds1.5, stake not returned.1X wagering the winnings from the free bet. Wagering occurs from real balance first. Wagering requirement is calculated on bonus bets only, wagering starts from real funds. Free bet is valid for 7 Days from issue. Max conversion: $/€/£ 200. Excluded Skrill deposits. Withdrawal requests voids all active/pending bonuses. Full Terms Apply

18+ only. New customers only. T&Cs apply. Claim Here
£20 in free bets when you place a £10 bet T&Cs apply

18+ only. £10 min. deposit required. 1 x £10 qualifying bet required. Qualifying bet must be placed on selection with min. odds of 1.8 (4/5). 4 x £5 Free Bets will be credited once the qualifying bet has been settled. 1 x Free Bet valid for any Football Match Result market. 1 x Free Bet valid on any Football Correct Score market. 1 x Free Bet valid on any Horse Racing market. 1 x Free Bet valid on any Tennis market. Free Bets valid for 7 days once credited. T&Cs apply.

18+ only. New customers only. T&Cs apply. Claim Here

Antonio Rudiger will also see his current contract expire at the end of the season, so Chelsea’s courting of Kounde was seen as a top priority a few months back.

A deal ultimately failed to transpire, though, as Sevilla kept hold of their prized asset, and Kounde has since revealed his failed move to Stamford Bridge affected him mentally.

Kounde told Telefoot: “Did my failed transfer to Chelsea this summer affect me? Yes, a little bit, but now it’s digested.”

Chelsea’s expiring contracts in defence

Rudiger is not the only defender who will see his present deal run out at the end of the season. Thiago Silva, Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen are all also in the final 12 months of their respective contracts at Cobham, and will be able to speak freely to other clubs from January onwards about a pre-contract agreement.

Despite remaining coy over his future Rudiger, who has been a stalwart in defence for Tuchel as part of his back-three, says he remains dedicated to Chelsea and motivated to give his all to the club, even with uncertainty over his Blues career looming ever large.

He told Welt Am Sonntag: “No. I am now concentrating on what is imminent. I owe that to the club, the coach and the team. I’ve always said that Chelsea is my number one contact.

“I’m only focused on Chelsea at the moment. We’ll see what happens.”

Rudiger also went on to laud the coaching credentials of Tuchel, whom he has shone under since his compatriot succeeded Frank Lampard in February.

“That’s right. He bet on me – and I paid back,” said Rudiger.

“Before he came to us, I heard that he was supposedly difficult to deal with. But I don’t experience that. On the contrary. He is clear, factual and direct, just as you like it as a footballer – generally as a person.

“I find it helpful when someone tells me directly what they like about me and what I can still work on. I can do a lot more with that than when someone comes and dribbles around what they want to say.”