{"id":1233427,"date":"2021-11-16T14:08:57","date_gmt":"2021-11-16T14:08:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1233427"},"modified":"2021-11-16T14:08:57","modified_gmt":"2021-11-16T14:08:57","slug":"jules-kounde-failed-move-chelsea","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/jules-kounde-failed-move-chelsea\/","title":{"rendered":"Jules Kounde opens up on failed move to Chelsea in the summer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sevilla defender Jules Kounde was in talks with Chelsea over a potential move in the summer, but a deal ultimately fell through.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kounde told <\/span>Telefoot<\/em><\/a>: “Did my failed transfer to Chelsea this summer affect me? Yes, a little bit, but now it’s digested.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Chelsea’s expiring contracts in defence<\/h2>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n